Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and his failure to maintain directional control while landing. A factor in this accident was the crosswind condition.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On February 6, 2005, about 1430 eastern standard time, an Aeronca 65CA, N33779, was substantially damaged while landing at the Jackson County Airport (I18), Ravenswood, West Virginia. The certificated private pilot and a passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
The airplane was landing on runway 4, a 4,001-foot-long, 75-foot-wide, asphalt runway.
The pilot reported that the airplane was above the runway centerline, when he began to flare; however, a wind gust caused the airplane to veer to the right. The pilot was unable to correct the drift with the application of engine power and left rudder. The airplane veered off the right side of the runway, and came to rest in a ravine.
Several witnesses reported that they observed the airplane veer off the right side of the runway, and over an embankment. One witness stated that the weather was "very windy."
Winds reported at an airport located about 31 miles northeast of I18, at 1453, were from 320 degrees at 5 knots.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# NYC05LA049