Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s loss of directional control during an intentional off-airport landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that he was performing a precautionary landing on a beach when the airplane veered left and impacted a sand dune, resulting in substantial damage. Following the accident, he reported to his insurance company that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane and that he chose to land on the beach to take a photo. The airplane was not examined following the accident; however, the circumstances are consistent with the pilot’s loss of directional control during an off-airport landing.
Source record
Factual narrative
On January 4, 2022, about 1130 central standard time, an Aviat A-1B airplane, N188DS, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident on Matagorda Island, Texas. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot and passenger departed about 1005 and proceeded to the northeast at a cruise altitude about 3,500 ft mean sea level. The pilot reported that he performed a precautionary landing for unspecified reasons to a beach. During the landing roll, the airplane veered left and collided with a sand dune. The fuselage and both wings sustained substantial damage. When reporting the accident to his insurance company, the pilot reported that he landed to take a picture. He did not report any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. A postaccident photo of the airplane revealed that one propeller blade exhibited leading edge polishing; the other propeller blade was obscured. The airplane was not examined following the accident.