# NTSB CEN26LA307: Cessna Claassen 305A(0-1A), N41362, Midland, TX, August 29, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 29, 2026, 12:23 local (17:23 UTC) - Place: Midland, TX · RW16R - Coordinates: 31.952164, -102.20501 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9522&lon=-102.2050&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 8, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 203721 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN26LA307 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203721/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203721 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA307 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing in gusting wind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna Claassen 305A(0-1A), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=207408K), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna Claassen 305A(0-1A), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=207408K), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: dust devil/whirlwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034060): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna Claassen 305A(0-1A), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034060/cases.md?model=207408K), [All aircraft, 38 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034060/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna Claassen 305A(0-1A), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=207408K), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna Claassen 305A(0-1A), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=207408K), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that he performed a three-point landing in gusting wind conditions. During the landing roll, the wind lifted the right wing and he attempted to correct with right aileron, but the right wing struck the ground. The airplane then skidded to the left and he attempted to correct with rudder before the left wing struck the ground. The airplane nosed down and came to rest on the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the top of the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that he and other pilots in the area observed dust devils during the flight. Based on the observed conditions, it is possible that that airplane encountered a dust devil during landing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N41362](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N41362), registered now, S/N 22587, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA CLAASSEN 305A(0-1A) (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Cessna Claassen 305A(0-1A)](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-claassen-305a-0-1a) (registry code 207408K) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22587 - Year built: 1951 - Engines: Continental O-470-11B 213 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Bird Dog N41362 LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2025 - Departed: KMDD, Midland, TX - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: MAF, Midland International Air and Space Port, runway 16R, 9,501 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: basicmed; last flight review July 26, 2025; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 937 total, 240 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 11 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: KMAF - METAR: METAR KMAF 291653Z 19011G17KT 10SM CLR 33/16 A3013 RMK AO2 SLP147 T03280161 $ ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 8, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203721. 4.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20900893&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N41362%206120%20Master_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20955039&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN26LA307%20Photos-Rel.pdf From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.