Casualties unknown

Pilot Loses Control After Wind Gust During Landing Rollout (N864T)

St. Johns, AZ, US

On July 16, 2002, a Beech S35 (registration N864T) was involved in an aviation accident near St. Johns, AZ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control following an encounter with a wind gust. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot lost control of the airplane after encountering a wind gust during landing rollout on runway 21. The left wing contacted the runway surface, and the airplane veered off, but was redirected back onto the runway. Weather reported no gusts earlier.

Event Details

During the landing rollout on runway 21, the pilot of a general aviation airplane encountered a wind gust. The pilot lost control of the airplane, and the left wing contacted the runway surface. Subsequently, the airplane veered off the runway. After the gust encounter, the pilot regained control and redirected the airplane back onto the runway.

Weather Conditions

Five minutes before the incident, the local weather report indicated the wind was from 300 degrees at 4 knots. There were no reports of gusts in that report. Before landing, the pilot had flown over the airport, observed the windsock, and received automated weather information.

Sequence of Events

Nothing unusual occurred during the final approach. The pilot had taken preparatory steps by overflying the airport and checking the windsock and automated weather. During the landing rollout, a wind gust caused a loss of control, leading to the left wing contacting the runway. The airplane then veered off the runway surface. The pilot was able to regain control of the airplane and steer it back onto the runway.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20020725X01208. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.