Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions. A factor was the crosswind condition.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot stated that during the approach to runway 32, he encountered a crosswind. On initial touchdown, the nose landing gear of the airplane impacted on the runway and the airplane exited the side of the runway. Winds at an airport 14 miles to the east southeast of the accident, 56 minutes after the accident, were reported to be 180 degrees at 11 knots.
Source record
Factual narrative
On October 25, 1996, at 1400 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N1178X, sustained substantial damage while landing on runway 32 (3,761' X 46' dry/asphalt) at Jenison, Michigan. The pilot said that during the flare the airplane descended and hit on the nose landing gear. The private pilot and his passenger reported no injuries. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on time. The flight departed Grand Rapids, Michigan, at 1315. The pilot said that he was landing with a 90 degree crosswind, but did not estimate the wind velocity. He said that he understood the wind at Grand Rapids, Michigan, which was 14 miles east-southeast of the accident to be 205 degrees at 7 knots. The reported winds at Grand Rapids, Michigan, at 1456, 56 minutes after the accident were 180 degrees at 11 knots. -