Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain the runway heading during an attempted go-around in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot reported that during landing in a gusting crosswind, following the main wheels touching down, and as the nose wheel was about to touch down, the airplane "abruptly lifted into the air." He immediately added full power to go-around, but the airplane drifted to the left off the runway surface and impacted an embankment.
The left wing sustained substantial damage.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The automated weather observing station at the accident airport, about the time of the accident, recorded wind 270° at 16 knots, gusting to 31 knots. A peak wind of 260° at 31 knots was recorded about 5 minutes before the accident. The airplane landed on runway 24.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA17CA140