CHI95LA216

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while landing and his inadequate compensation for wind conditions. A factor in the accident was the gusty crosswind conditions.

Upon touchdown, the airplane ballooned back into the air. The student pilot reported that the airplane then landed on the north side of the runway due to the crosswind. The pilot stated the right main landing gear got caught on the corner of the runway and taxiway, causing damage to the landing gear and causing the airplane to exit onto the grass adjacent to the runway. The left main landing gear was sheared from the airplane and damage was sustained by the left wing, engine fire wall, and engine mounts. A surface weather observation taken six minutes after the accident reported the winds from 210 degrees at 13 knots, gusting to 24 knots.

On July 5, 1995, at 0921 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28- 181, N9144T, sustained substantial damage while landing at Spirit of St. Louis Airport, Chesterfield, Missouri. The solo student pilot reported no injuries. The local 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight operated without a flight plan in visual meteorological conditions. The student pilot returned to the Spirit of St. Louis Airport after a solo cross country practice flight. Upon touchdown on runway 26R (3800' x 75'), the airplane ballooned back into the air. The pilot stated that the airplane then got caught in a crosswind causing it to touchdown on the north side of the runway. He stated the right main landing gear then got caught on the corner of the runway and taxiway intersection, causing damage to the gear. The airplane exited the side of the runway onto the grass adjacent to the runway. The left main landing gear was sheared from the airplane and damage was sustained by the left wing, engine fire wall, and engine mounts. A surface weather observation taken six minutes after the accident reported the winds from 210 degrees at 13 knots gusting to 24 knots. -