N29M

On April 13, 1997, about 2000 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32R-300, N29M, was substantially damaged while landing at the Flying W Airport, Lumberton, New Jersey. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated at Albany, New York, about 1830. No flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated that he overflew the airport and observed the windsock pointing down runway 01. He further stated:

"...I turned final and was aligned with the center of the visual glideslope...50 feet or less above the runway, I encountered a sudden severe gust of wind from the left. The tail of the airplane went to the right and the nose pitched up...I added power and was putting the gear selector up when we hit flat and bounced. We ended up in the grass to the right of runway 01...While running to the FBO, I saw the windsock was standing virtually straight out, perpendicular to the runway..."

During a telephone interview the pilot reported that an annual inspection had just been completed on the airplane, and he experienced no problems with the engine or flight controls.

The pilot had accumulated over 900 hours of flight experience, of which 190 hours were as pilot in command in make and model.

Winds reported at an airport about 10 miles northeast of the Flying W Airport, were from 310 degrees at 17, gusting to 22 knots.