N85TP

Substantial
None

WONDER MICHAEL S HARMON ROCKETS/N: 2828

Accident Details

Date
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
NTSB Number
ERA14CA270
Location
Winston Salem, NC
Event ID
20140530X83423
Coordinates
36.133609, -80.221946
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
2
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing in a gusty crosswind which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with terrain.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
WONDER MICHAEL S
Serial Number
2828
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
0
Model / ICAO
HARMON ROCKETBPAT
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
2
FAA Model
HARMON ROCKET

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
CARUANA CHRISTOPHER M
Address
2397 LOVE RD
City
GRAND ISLAND
State / Zip Code
NY 14072-2566
Country
United States

Analysis

According to the pilot's written statement, while on approach for a straight in landing to runway 33 the tower reported "winds at 250 at 13 or 14 with gusts." The pilot elected to abandon the approach to runway 33 and requested a landing on runway 22. The pilot entered a left downwind for runway 22. On final approach the pilot stated he saw a quartering right crosswind at 18 to 19 knots on his onboard system. Upon touchdown the aircraft "began a weathervane" and the pilot elected to go around. After circling the airport the pilot attempted another approach to runway 22. On this approach the pilot used partial flaps and lined up on the left side of the runway. The pilot stated that upon touchdown the aircraft required almost full left rudder to maintain directional control. The pilot stated that he believed he "got an additional right wind gust." At that time the aircraft swerved sharply to the right where it exited the paved surface and rolled onto the grass. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mount and left wing. The calculated cross wind component at the time of the accident, using the AWOS reported winds, was 13 knots. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA14CA270