Primary finding
Probable cause
The student pilot's inadequate compensattion for wind conditions. The crosswind was a factor.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The student pilot was conducting touch and go landings. On his fourth landing on runway 35, he stated: '...wind shifted, touched down on the numbers on runway centerline. Applied aileron into wind. Left wing lifted up. [the airplane] drifted off the right side [of the] runway [and] struck...[a] sign, which sheared off the right landing gear.' the pilot reported that the wind was from 290 degrees at 12 knots.
Source record
Factual narrative
On Monday, May 2, 1994, at 1338 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N8453N, piloted by William B. MacDonald, sustained substantial damage during a landing at the Danbury Municipal Airport, Danbury, Connecticut. The student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The student pilot was conducting touch and go landings. In his report, the pilot stated: [On the] fourth landing the wind shifted. Touched down at numbers on runway centerline. [I] applied aileron into wind. [The] left wing lifted up [and the airplane] drifted off the right side [of the] runway [and] struck a taxiway sign which sheared off [the] right landing gear.... The pilot reported that the winds were from 290 degrees at 12 knots. He landed on runway 35, which was 3135 feet long and 150 feet wide. At the time of the accident, the pilot had a total of 70 hours flight time. -