Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain proper alignment and adequate obstacle clearance.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that during landing approach to a private airstrip there was a direct 6 knot crosswind. He stated he was compensating for the crosswind during the approach, but when the airplane became level with cornstalks which ran along side the runway, the crosswind 'ceased.' The airplane drifted to the right and the right wingtip struck the cornstalks. The airplane swung around into the cornstalks and the wings were damaged.
Source record
Factual narrative
On August 18, 1994, at 1015 central daylight time, a Cessna 182L, N3376R, collided with cornstalks during landing at a private airstrip in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The personal flight originated from Nashville, Tennessee, and was destined for Hopkinsville. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot reported that during final approach, a direct 6 knot crosswind existed. He stated that he compensated for the crosswind "...but it ceased under tall corn next to runway. Plane drifted to [the] right, wing tipped corn and pulled plane into corn." He stated the airplane spun around and the left wing was bent upward about 30 degrees. No airplane anomalies were reported by the pilot. -