Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing with a crosswind, which resulted in a runway excursion.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that, while approaching the destination airport, she obtained local wind information that indicated the wind was from 350 degrees. She subsequently entered a left base leg in the traffic pattern for runway 34; however, the pilot of an airplane ahead was approaching runway 28 to practice crosswind landings. The accident pilot then decided to land on runway 28, behind the airplane ahead of her. During the landing roll, she relaxed her crosswind correction inputs and the airplane veered off the left side of the runway onto uneven terrain. The nosegear collapsed, the airplane came to rest upright, and the firewall sustained damage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions prior to the accident. The wind at the airport, about the time of the accident, was from 320 degrees at 12 knots.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot reported that while approaching the destination airport, she obtained the local wind information, which indicated the winds were from 350 degrees. She subsequently entered a left base leg in the traffic pattern for runway 34; however, the pilot of an airplane ahead was approaching runway 28 to practice crosswind landings. The accident pilot then decided to land on runway 28, behind the airplane ahead of her. During the landing roll, she relaxed her crosswind correction inputs, and the airplane veered off the left side of the runway, onto uneven terrain. The nosegear collapsed, the airplane came to rest upright, and the firewall sustained damage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions prior to the accident. The recorded winds at the airport, about the time of the accident, were from 320 degrees at 13 knots.