# NTSB ERA25LA039: Cessna T240, N94981, Fort Myers, FL, October 26, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 26, 2024, 11:55 local (15:55 UTC) - Place: Fort Myers, FL - Coordinates: 26.587931, -81.862514 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.5879&lon=-81.8625&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 195450 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA25LA039 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195450/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195450 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA039 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadequate compensation for the prevailing wind conditions while landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with a sign. ## 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 T240, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2073460), [All aircraft, 9,308 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Cessna T240, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md?model=2073460), [All aircraft, 214 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/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 T240, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2073460), [All aircraft, 3,969 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T240, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2073460), [All aircraft, 1,014 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna T240, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2073460), [All aircraft, 4,590 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna T240, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2073460), [All aircraft, 3,656 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna T240, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073460), [All aircraft, 10,154 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot approached the destination airport and noted that the tower air traffic controller was very busy due to the traffic load, and because the runway most favorable for the prevailing wind was closed due to a disabled aircraft. The tower controller subsequently cleared pilot to land on a runway where a nearly direct left crosswind at 10 knots, gusting to 15 knots prevailed. The pilot described that upon landing, a gust of wind “pushed” the airplane off of the runway surface and it collided a taxiway sign. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing during the accident sequence. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N94981](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N94981), registered now, S/N T24002042, built 2014 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA T240 (NO SERIES EXISTS) - Registry model: [Cessna T240](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t240) (registry code 2073460) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-550-C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-550-c) (registry code 17246, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: T24002042 - Year built: 2014 - Airframe hours: 820.6 - Engines: Continental Aerospace Technologies TSIO-550 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 21, 2024, 13.4 hours before - Departed: MTH, Marathon, FL - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: FMY, Page Field Airport, runway 13, 4,910 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Angle of attack indicator, Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Onboard weather, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2024; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 872.5 total, 627 in this make and model, 802.3 as pilot in command, 8.2 in the last 90 days, 4.1 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 10 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: FMY - METAR: KFMY 261553Z 06010G15KT 10SM CLR 29/18 A3019 RMK AO2 SLP226 T02890178 ? ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20241026019059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20241026019059A), Oct 26, 2024: Cessna T240, Fort Myers, FL, Substantial damage. On 10/26/2024 pilot [privacy data omitted] and passenger left marathon airport at 10:56 am returning to Fort Myers (kfmy). Pilot picked up current ATIS at… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 21, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195450. 11.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 10.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17894137&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120.10%20complete_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 158 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17924005&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FINAL%20Record%20of%20Convo%20with%20Jimmie%20H%20Smith%2011%204%202024%20v01_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot's statement (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 985 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17898798&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photograph (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 237 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17896308&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photographs-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.