Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s inadequate crosswind compensation, which resulted in a loss of directional control during the landing roll.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that, because of the left 10- to 15-knot quartering headwind, on short final approach, he descended at an airspeed about 5 knots faster than normal. The airplane bounced upon touching down on the runway and began drifting toward the runway’s edge. Despite the pilot’s efforts to stop the drift, the airplane exited the side of the runway, rolled onto an adjacent grassy area and into a 1-foot-deep trough, and nosed over. The windshield broke, and the engine mounts, vertical stabilizer, and rudder were bent. The pilot reported that no mechanical malfunction or failure occurred with the airplane during the accident flight.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot reported that because of the left 10- to 15-knot quartering headwind, on short final approach he descended using airspeed about 5 knots faster than normal. The airplane bounced upon touching down on the runway, and then it began drifting toward the runway’s edge. Despite the pilot’s efforts at stopping the drift, the airplane veered off the side of the runway and rolled onto an adjacent grassy area. As the airplane decelerated in the grass, the airplane rolled into a 1-foot-deep trough and nosed over. This event resulted in breaking the windshield, bending the engine mounts, vertical stabilizer and rudder, and other airframe damage. The pilot further reported that no mechanical malfunction or failure occurred with the airplane during the accident flight.