Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain proper alignment with the runway. The crosswind was of factor.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
During an attempted landing in a crosswind, the private pilot, who was flying from the right seat, allowed the aircraft to drift off the side of the runway during the flare. His attempted remedial action was not adequate to correct the situation, and the aircraft impacted a runway designator sign and a runway light.
Source record
Factual narrative
On March 1, 1994, at 1720 mountain standard time (MST), a Cessna 172, N733WS, impacted a runway marker during an attempted landing at Natrona County International Airport, Casper, Wyoming. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The local personal pleasure flight, which departed the same location about 20 minutes earlier, was in visual meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. No flight plan had been filed, and there was no report of an ELT activation. According to the pilot, who was flying from the right seat, he was attempting to land in an eight knot 50 degree crosswind, when he experienced difficulty maintaining directional control during the landing flare. During his attempted remedial action the aircraft drifted off the side of the runway and impacted a runway designation marker and a runway light. -