Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing with a crosswind.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The private pilot was on a cross country flight in his single-engine airplane when he decided to make a unscheduled stop at another airport to use the rest room. During landing, when the airplane was approximately 20-feet-above the ground, it encountered a light crosswind from the right. The pilot compensated but the airplane drifted further to the left. The airplane contacted the runway and bounced three times before it went off the left side of and collided with taxiway identifier sign. The airplane came to an abrupt stop but remained upright. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane.
Source record
Factual narrative
The private pilot was on a cross country flight in his single-engine airplane when he decided to make a unscheduled stop at another airport for personal reasons. During landing, when the airplane was approximately 20-feet-above the ground, it encountered a light crosswind from the right. The pilot compensated but the airplane drifted further to the left. The airplane contacted the runway and bounced three times before it went off the left side of and collided with taxiway identifier sign. The airplane came to an abrupt stop but remained upright. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane.