# NTSB ERA26LA123: Piper PA-28-180, N9624J, Monroe, NC, February 23, 2026

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: February 23, 2026, 13:34 local (18:34 UTC)
- Place: Monroe, NC
- Coordinates: 35.012685, -80.626237
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0127&lon=-80.6262&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 17, 2026
- 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): 202490
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA26LA123
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202490/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202490
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA123

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing in gusting crosswind 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: [Piper PA-28-180, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102808), [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: [Piper PA-28-180, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7102808), [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 in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that before landing in gusting crosswind conditions, he verified the crosswind component was within the capability of the airplane and completed the descent checklist. After crossing midfield, he entered the left downwind leg of the airport traffic pattern and observed the windsock favoring runway 5, with wind “10-11 o’clock off the runway”. The before landing checklist was completed, and he planned to add 15 mph to his approach airspeed and utilize 20°of flaps. During final approach, reported wind was 340° at 15 knots, gusting to 27 knots. In the landing flare, the airplane encountered a “down forward forcing wind from the rear of the plane”, followed by a gust of wind from the left, before a go-around could be initiated. The airplane subsequently exited the runway, went over an embankment, and nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the fuselage, wings and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9624J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9624J), registered now, S/N 28-3780, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-3780
- Year built: 1966
- Airframe hours: 3956
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Tideline Aviation LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 21, 2025
- Departed: ILM, Wilmington, NC
- Destination: EQY, Monroe, NC
- Airport: EQY, Charlotte/Monroe Exec, runway 05, 7,001 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Onboard weather, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 24, 2024; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,278.4 total, 127.9 in this make and model, 1,105.4 as pilot in command, 66.7 in the last 90 days, 10.4 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot-rated passenger; age 55; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 4, 2024; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 500 total, 6.8 in this make and model, 472.2 as pilot in command, 2.8 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 15 knots, gusting 27
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 12 °F
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observed at: EQY
- METAR: METAR KEQY 231753Z AUTO 34015G27KT 10SM CLR 04/M11 A3004 RMK AO2 PK WND 30032/1726 SLP191 T00441111 10050 21022 58004

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 17, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202490. 8.6 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 5.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20264911&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Michael%20Melton%206120.1_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- FAA record of conversation (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 127 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20265113&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA_Form_1360-33_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Pilot's statement (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 34 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20264435&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Mike%20Melton%20-%202_23_2026%20statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Investigation photographs (item 4, PDF, 5 pages, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20264931&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photographs_Redacted-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.