Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's not maintaining aircraft control. A factor was the crosswind condition.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The conventional gear airplane was landing on runway 33. The pilot reported that the wind was from 270 degrees at 15 to 20knots. When the pilot attempted to abort the landing, control was lost and the airplane impacted the terrain.
Source record
Factual narrative
On May 19, 1995, at 1300 central daylight time, a Piper PA-18, N1097A, operated by a commercial rated pilot sustained substantial damage when directional control was lost during a landing on runway 33 at Hutchinson, Minnesota. The pilot reported no injuries and the passenger received minor injuries. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The local flight departed at approximately 1200. The pilot stated that the wind was from 270 degrees at 15 to 20 knots at the time he was landing on runway 33. He said he attempted to abort the landing, and during the attempt the wing impacted the ground. He said he thought there may have been wind shear and that the airplane stalled. A weather observation taken at the accident airport about 15 minutes after the accident showed winds of 290 degrees at 12 knots. -