Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions, and his improper recovery from the bounced landing. The high wind was a factor.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
During a landing in strong wind conditions, the airplane bounced and impacted right wing first. The pilot said that the windsock was straight out. A weather observation on the airport reported a wind of 19 knots from 260 degrees. The landing was on runway 25.
Source record
Factual narrative
On August 14, 1995, at 1217 mountain daylight time, a Cessna A185E, N47428, owned and operated by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during landing on runway 25 at Dickinson, North Dakota. The pilot and two passengers reported no injuries. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions on a VFR flight plan. The flight departed Huron, South Dakota, at 0958 with an original planned destination of Glasgow, Montana; however, the destination was changed to Dickinson, North Dakota, for a refueling stop. The pilot stated that he recognized that there were strong winds. He noted that on final approach the windsock was "straight out." He said that on initial touch touchdown the airplane ballooned, followed by the left wing rising and the airplane drifting off the runway to the right. He reported that the airplane impacted right wing first, followed by the nose and then by the left wing and tail. A weather observation at Dickinson, North Dakota, taken at 1050 indicated winds from 260 degrees at 19 knots. -