What happened
The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.
On may 16, 2026, the pilot in command (PIC) of the subject aircraft departed Grand Junction Regional Airport (gjt) to perform local takeoff and landing practice. During the third touchdown, a crosswind gust from the north caused the PIC to lose directional control. During the attempted recovery, the aircraft veered off the runway surface, resulting in the left wingtip striking a runway sign.
The aircraft came to a stop in the unpaved area adjacent to the runway. The PIC subsequently taxied the aircraft back onto the runway and returned to the ramp without further incident. Pilot records were reviewed and found to have the correct certification.
It is recommended that the PIC undergo FAA pilot safety counseling. This investigation is closed with no further action required.
As the FAA filed it
ON MAY 16, 2026, THE PILOT IN COMMAND (PIC) OF THE SUBJECT AIRCRAFT DEPARTED GRAND JUNCTION REGIONAL AIRPORT (GJT) TO PERFORM LOCAL TAKEOFF AND LANDING PRACTICE. DURING THE THIRD TOUCHDOWN, A CROSSWIND GUST FROM THE NORTH CAUSED THE PIC TO LOSE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. DURING THE ATTEMPTED RECOVERY, THE AIRCRAFT VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY SURFACE, RESULTING IN THE LEFT WINGTIP STRIKING A RUNWAY SIGN.
THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO A STOP IN THE UNPAVED AREA ADJACENT TO THE RUNWAY. THE PIC SUBSEQUENTLY TAXIED THE AIRCRAFT BACK ONTO THE RUNWAY AND RETURNED TO THE RAMP WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. PILOT RECORDS WERE REVIEWED AND FOUND TO HAVE THE CORRECT CERTIFICATION.
IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE PIC UNDERGO FAA PILOT SAFETY COUNSELING. THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED WITH NO FURTHER ACTION REQUIRED.