Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and his failure to maintain sufficient airspeed to flare during the landing. The crosswind was a related factor.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The airplane was landing on runway 27. The prevailing wind was from the south. The pilot said that on short final, the nose dropped, and while he was trying to arrest the descent, the right main landing gear impacted the runway and collapsed. About 25 minutes before the accident and 9 miles northeast of the accident site, a weather reporting station was reporting winds of 180 degrees at 12 knots.
Source record
Factual narrative
On June 24, 1997, at 1415 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-201T, N99BF, sustained substantial damage during a landing accident on runway 27 (3,658' x 75' dry/asphalt), at Lansing Municipal Airport, near Lansing, Illinois. The pilot reported a wind gust made the wing impact the terrain. The private pilot reported no injuries. The local personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight departed Lansing at 1345. The pilot stated that he was conducting landings and takeoffs. He said that on the last approach the airplane nosed down on short final and during his attempt to arrest the descent the right main landing gear impacted the runway and collapsed. He said that there was a crosswind from the left. The nearest weather reporting station to the accident site was 9 miles to the northeast. That station recorded winds of 180 degrees at 12 knots, 25 minutes prior to the accident. -