Amateur-built CR-1 accident near Altamont, New York, March 11, 2018
On March 11, 2018 at about 4:00 pm local time, a 2008 amateur-built CR-1, registered N142DT, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Altamont, New York (Private airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain the runway heading during the approach in gusting crosswind conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 11, 2018 · about 4:00 pm local time
- Place
- Altamont, New York · Private · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built CR-1 NO SERIES, built 2008
- Registration
- N142DT · no longer on the register · serial 01
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the ski-equipped airplane reported that, while on approach to a snow-covered airstrip, there was a quartering right gusting crosswind. He added that, about 100 ft above the ground, the right wing rose, and he attempted to correct to no avail. He added that the airplane was about 90° off of course to the left, and he chose to go between two trees. Subsequently, the left wing impacted a tree and separated from the airplane, and the airplane came to rest nose down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system about 9 nautical miles from the accident site reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 280° at 12 knots, gusting to 21 knots. The pilot landed on runway 26.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Other weather encounter during landing
- Loss of control in flight during landing defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
- Part(s) separation from AC during landing
- Nose over/nose down during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Heading/course › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Crosswind › Effect on operation
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Effect on operation
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Effect on equipment
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 587 hours in all; 288 in this make and model; 36 in the last 90 days; 12.5 in the last 30 days; 549 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 31, 2016
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 881 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, January 27, 2018
- Maximum gross weight: 1,320 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C90-8F (piston); 899 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Sharon Springs NY at 2:35 pm
- Destination: Altamont NY
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 26, 2,400 ft by 70 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 12 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 3,600 ft
- Temperature: 36°F (2°C), dew point 21°F (-6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observation at 4:45 pm from KSCH, 9 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on April 19, 2018. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Accident Pictures | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Memorandum for Record - Telephone Interview, Pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.