Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a crosswind landing, which resulted in an inadvertent ground swerve and collision with bushes and terrain.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot stated he was landing with a crosswind, and the airplane veered to the right on landing rollout and collided with bushes and trees. Review of the weather at the time of the accident revealed no recorded turbulence, downdrafts, gusts, or windshear.
Source record
Factual narrative
On April 27, 1997, about 1010 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-12, N4141M, registered to a private owner, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed during landing at Ocean Reef Club, a private airport, Key Largo, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged. The private pilot and pilot-rated passenger reported no injuries. The flight originated from Key Largo, Florida, about 10 minutes before the accident. The pilot stated the airplane ballooned during the flare (round out), he recovered with power and the airplane touched down on the runway. The airplane turned sharply to the right, the left wing came up, the airplane continued to turn to the right, and collided with bushes and palm trees. The pilot-rated passenger confirmed the pilot's statements. Review of the weather at the time of the accident revealed no record of turbulence, downdrafts, gusts, or windshear. -