N9091W

On September 6, 1998, at 1222 eastern daylight time, N9091W, a Piper PA-28-235, registered to and being operated by a private pilot (right seat), and being flown by a second private pilot (left seat), was substantially damaged when it collided with trees during the landing roll at the Schroon Lake Airport, Schroon Lake, New York. Both occupants sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan had not been filed. The personal flight was to have been conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from Caldwell, New Jersey, earlier on the morning of the accident.

The aircraft owner reported that it was a perfect landing, but a gust of wind caught the airplane and pushed it to the left side of the runway. The airplane veered off the left side of the runway, and the left wing struck trees. The airplane then came to rest opposite the direction of travel.

The pilot flying (left seat) reported that "the landing was almost completed but on the rollout a sudden gust wing [sic] tipped the plane over from the right side. The plane made a sudden stop at the tree line on the left...."

According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, the airplane touched down 2/3 down runway 16. The runway at Schroon Lake was 3,150 in length and composed of asphalt. The aviation surface weather winds reported at Glenn's Falls airport at 1147, located 32 nautical miles south of the accident airport, were from 190 degrees magnetic at 9 knots.

The aircraft owner reported that there was no mechanical malfunction with the airplane or the engine. He also reported that the aircraft was being flown by the left seat pilot. FAA records indicated that the aircraft owner's most recent medical certificate (third class) had been issued March 10, 1995.