No fatalities

Wind Shear Causes Hard Landing and Wing Contact During Runway Change

Torrance, CA, United States

On May 19, 2011, a BOEING B75N1 was involved in an aviation accident near Torrance, CA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot experienced wind shear on short final, resulting in a hard landing and wing strike that damaged the main spar.

Incident Overview

A pilot was entering the traffic pattern with the intention to land when the wind direction shifted. The air traffic controller subsequently requested that the pilot land on the opposite runway.

Sequence of Events

According to the pilot, while on short final at approximately 20 feet above ground level, the airplane encountered a wind shear. This caused the airplane to land hard on the runway. Following the hard landing, the airplane turned sharply to the left, causing the right lower wing to contact the runway surface. The contact resulted in damage to the main spar.

Pilot Report

The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal flight operation.

Contributing factors

PilotResponse/compensation

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 19 May 2011 BOEING B75N1 accident near Torrance, CA?

A pilot experienced wind shear on short final, resulting in a hard landing and wing strike that damaged the main spar.

Were there any fatalities in the 19 May 2011 BOEING B75N1 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 19 May 2011 involved a BOEING B75N1, at Torrance, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions.