Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing with a crosswind, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with vegetation.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot reported that, during landing, and upon touchdown, the airplane encountered a very strong left crosswind. The wings started to lift, and the airplane started to climb. He corrected by pitching the nose down and positioned the ailerons to counter the crosswind. The airplane encountered a second crosswind gust, all corrections were ineffective, and the airplane veered off the runway to the right. Upon leaving the runway, the airplane encountered thick vegetation and nosed over.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right and left wings.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
An airport's automated weather observation station located 24 miles to the north-east reported that, about 5 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 290° at 3 knots. The pilot reported that the wind was variable. The airplane was landing on runway 26.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA19CA371