N8477F

On November 19, 2006, about 1100 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-28-140, N8477F, veered off runway 01 and collided with a berm while landing at Valle Airport (40G), Grand Canyon, Arizona. The owner/pilot operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane sustained structural damage after the landing gear was sheared off. The pilot and two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that departed the Kingman Airport (IGM), Kingman, Arizona, about 0940. The flight was destined for Valle Airport.

The National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge (IIC) interviewed the pilot. The pilot stated that he made two attempts to land at Valle Airport. On the first attempt, he was not able to maintain proper runway alignment on final approach and initiated a go-around due to a strong right crosswind. His wife, who was flying another airplane behind him landed and communicated to him that there was a "stiff crosswind on landing."

The pilot stated that he flew in the pattern and attempted a second landing. On the final approach, he noted a strong crosswind and made the appropriate crosswind correction. After touchdown, the right wing rose "very high in the air," as it was caught by a gust of wind. The airplane started to depart to the left side of the runway. He added full power to abort the landing and maintain a wings level attitude; however, the airplane continued off the runway and impacted a berm near an intersecting taxiway. The landing gear was sheared off; the airplane came to rest upright. The pilot reported no mechanical or flight control problems with the airplane.

According to the airport manager, the reported winds at the time of the accident were between 050 to 070 degrees at 10 to 12 knots.