Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and his failure to maintain directional control. Contributing factors were a crosswind and wind gusts.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On December 20, 2001, about 1000 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-28-140, N6742J, sustained a hard landing at Show Low, Arizona. The owner was operating the rental airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The solo student pilot was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The local instructional flight departed Show Low about 0900. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.
The student pilot stated he departed for the local practice area and the winds were about 10 knots. By the time he returned for landing, the wind velocity had increased to 20 knots from 150 degrees. He experienced a strong wind gust as he was landing. The left wing contacted the ground and the nose gear sheared off. He was not aware that the nose wheel had sheared off; he tried to power up but couldn't due to the propeller damage. The airplane departed the runway and came to rest.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX02LA057