Accident Description
A pilot landing an aircraft at Bassett, Nebraska, reported that a gust of wind struck the aircraft from behind, causing a loss of directional control. The aircraft veered off the runway into a snow bank. The pilot stated that two witnesses walking near the runway told him no wind was blowing when the aircraft first touched down. However, after touchdown, the witnesses reported a gust of wind hitting the rear of the aircraft.
Wind Conditions
Wind observations obtained from the National Weather Service observer located in Ainsworth, Nebraska, 19 nautical miles west of Bassett, showed winds from 290 degrees at 15 knots at the time of the accident. The pilot chose to land on Runway 13 after observing the windsock hanging down. The witnesses stated that the wind had been blowing erratically most of the day, possibly giving the pilot a false indication of wind conditions. The airport tetrahedron, another source of wind direction, showed the wind was blowing from the northwest, making a landing on Runway 31 the appropriate choice.