N3699W

On October 14, 1994, at 0610 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-32-260, N3699W was substantially damaged during takeoff near Albuquerque, New Mexico. The private pilot and five passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the planned cross country flight.

The pilot reported the following information on the enclosed statement. The local winds at Coronado Airport, Albuquerque, New Mexico, were reported from the east at 25 knots gusting to 50 knots. The pilot extended the airplane flaps to 25 degrees. During the takeoff on runway 03, the airplane became airborne in gusty winds. Once airborne, the winds were "gusty and quartering causing uncommanded yaws of 15 degrees to 30 degrees and rolls of 45 degrees to 50 degrees." The pilot further stated that as "a result of the turbulence encountered and the inability to climb, the aircraft landing gear began to contact brush and grass clumps." The pilot made a decision to land the aircraft. During the landing in "soft sand" the landing gear collapsed, the airplane veered to the right, and then skidded sideways. The airplane came to rest several hundred feet to the upwind side of the runway.