N64003

On May 23, 2019, about 1410 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N64003, was substantially damaged while landing at Stafford Regional Airport (RMN), Stafford, Virginia. The private pilot was no injured. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight that departed Shannon Airport (EZF), Fredericksburg, Virginia, about 1315.

The pilot stated that during approach to runway 15, the automated weather observation system (AWOS) reported the wind from 220° (varying between 150° and 240°) at 9 knots, gusting to 14 knots. The pilot further stated that there was some crosswind, but it only required a minor crab during final approach. Shortly after touchdown, the airplane veered right, traveled off the right side of the runway and the nosegear struck a concrete slab. The airplane travelled another 10 feet before the nosegear collapsed and the airplane came to rest upright.

A witness stated that he departed RMN in his airplane about 3 to 5 minutes prior to the accident. At that time, the AWOS indicated a crosswind of less than 10 knots, slightly favoring runway 15. The witness further stated that during initial climb, between 50 and 150 feet above ground level, the airplane encountered a severe increase in crosswind that required large counter control input. The airplane also encountered strong downdrafts until climbing to a higher altitude.

Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed damage to the firewall, engine mount, and left wing. The inspector was able to confirm control continuity from the rudder to the rudder pedals. He did not observe any preimpact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any.

The recorded wind at RMN, at 1415, was from 230° at 8 knots, gusting to 16 knots.