N64307

On June 15, 2002, about 1100 mountain standard time, a Cessna 172M, N64307, veered off the runway while attempting to land at St. John's Industrial Air Park (SJN), St. Johns, Arizona. The airplane encountered soft soil and damaged several structural elements. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and pilot-rated passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal cross-country flight departed Albuquerque International Sunport Airport, Albuquerque, New Mexico, about 1030 mountain daylight time, with a planned destination of SJN. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rules flight plan had been filed.

In a written statement, the pilot reported that he attempted to land on runway 21, but opted to perform a go-around because he could not obtain proper runway alignment. The Automated Surface Observation System and a fixed base operator attendant reported a shift in winds, and the pilot elected to land on runway 32. He configured the airplane with 5 degrees of flaps and prepared for landing. During approach, about 5 to 6 feet above ground level, the airplane experienced a loss of altitude and yawed to the left.

During touchdown, the airplane veered off the left side of the runway. The pilot maneuvered the airplane back onto the runway and attempted to gain airspeed, in an effort to takeoff. The airplane veered off the right side of the runway and he reduced the power to idle. The airplane continued down a dirt hill, and came to rest after the nose wheel dug into soft terrain. The airplane incurred damage to the right wing, nose ribs, and firewall sheets. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane.

An aviation routine weather report (METAR) for SJN at 1054 reported winds from 250 degrees at 20 knots, with gusts up to 26 knots.