Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate compensation for crosswind during landing rollout. A factor was the variable crosswind.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
During landing rollout, the left main landing gear left the runway. The airplane returned to the runway, veered to the right, and exited the runway on the right side. The airplane then impacted a ditch and slid to a stop on the taxiway. The left main landing gear separated and the nose gear collapsed. The pilot stated that the winds varied from calm to a 90 degree crosswind in excess of 20 knots.
Source record
Factual narrative
On September 19, 1994, at 1215 central daylight time, a Piper PA- 32-301, N8398J, was substantially damaged during landing at Nacogdoches, Texas. The private pilot and his commercial pilot rated passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 CFR 91 business flight. The pilot provided the following information to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector. During the landing roll on runway 36, airplane directional control was lost due to gusting crosswinds. The left main landing gear left the runway and went 3 to 4 feet into the grass. The nosewheel stayed on the runway. The airplane then returned to the runway, crossed the runway, and exited the runway on the right side. The airplane impacted a ditch and came to rest on the taxiway. The pilot stated that the wind varied in direction from 360 through 090 degrees and velocity from 0 to greater than 20 knots. An inspection of the aircraft revealed that the nose gear collapsed and the left main landing gear separated. Structural damage also occurred to the firewall and the left wing spar. -