Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's decision to continue flight into a known adverse weather condition, and, his failure to adequately compensate for the crosswind gust condition and maintain directional control during the landing rollout.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On April 15, 1999, at 1445 hours mountain standard time, a Boeing A75N1, N53404, veered off runway 5, collided with a ditch, and nosed over during landing at the Casa Grande, Arizona, airport. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot and was on a cross-country personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and included winds from 330 degrees at 11 knots with gusts to 19 knots. The aircraft incurred substantial damage. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured. The flight originated at Blythe, California, on the day of the accident at 1300.
In his written statement, the pilot said that while approaching the airport he received weather information from the ASOS and a pilot report from a preceding airplane. The pilot report noted 90-degree crosswinds with occasional gusts to 20 knots. The pilot said he touched down on runway 5 and a sudden crosswind gust raised the left wing and the airplane began veering off the runway. He reported that he applied opposite aileron and rudder, but was unable to regain directional control before encountering a drainage ditch where the airplane nosed over.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX99LA152