Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's failure to maintain directional control. Factors associated with the accident were the crosswind, the pilot's lack of total experience, the concrete block and the dirt back.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The student pilot stated he used a side slip to compensate for the crosswind condition during the landing approach. When the nose wheel touched down, the airplane traveled off the left side of the runway where it contacted a concrete block and a dirt bank.
Source record
Factual narrative
On March 9, 1994, at 1730 central standard time, a Piper PA-28- 140, N6625W, operated by Hutchinson Aviation, and flown by a student pilot collided with a runway light and a ditch during a landing at the Hutchinson Municipal Airport, Hutchinson, Minnesota, while on a solo training flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot was not injured. The local flight originated from Hutchinson, Minnesota, on March 9, 1994, at 1720 cst. The pilot reported he was practicing takeoffs and landings on runway 15 (3,206' x 75') when the accident occurred. He stated the local winds were from 220 degrees and he used a side slip during the crosswind approach. He stated the right main gear touched down first followed by the left main gear. He stated that when the nose gear touched down, the airplane veered off the left side of the runway. The airplane contacted a concrete block near a runway light at which time the nose gear collapsed. The airplane then continued for 150' prior to contacting a pile of dirt. Reported winds at Hutchinson Municipal Airport at 1700 cst were from 240 degrees at 9 knots. At 1800 cst, the winds were reported as being from 240 degrees at 11 knots gusting to 14 knots. The pilot stated he was not sure if the wind blew him off the runway or if he did not have the nose wheel straight when the airplane touched down. -