Aircraft departs runway during landing roll due to wind gust change

Casualties unknown • Rayville, LA, US

An aircraft veered off the paved runway and entered a ditch after a wind gust subsided during the landing roll, resulting in nose gear collapse.

What happened

During the landing flare and touchdown, the pilot had configured the aircraft to account for gusting winds. However, as the aircraft proceeded through the landing roll, a wind gust subsided, causing the airplane to depart the paved runway to the left side.

The terrain adjacent to the runway was wet and soggy. Upon departing the pavement, the airplane entered a ditch running parallel to the runway. The impact with the ditch caused the nose gear to collapse before the aircraft came to a complete stop.

Prior to the flight, the pilot had obtained weather briefings and was aware of the crosswind conditions present at the destination airport. At the time of the landing, a direct crosswind was blowing from the left with sustained winds between 10 and 15 knots, gusting to 20 or 25 knots.

Probable cause

The pilot's decision to land at the destination airport despite known crosswind conditions, which led to the aircraft departing the runway when a wind gust subsided.

All Piper PA-32 accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1998-03-01 Piper PA-32-300 accident near Rayville, LA?

An aircraft veered off the paved runway and entered a ditch after a wind gust subsided during the landing roll, resulting in nose gear collapse.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1998-03-01 involved a Piper PA-32-300, registration N4GQ, at Rayville, LA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's decision to land at the destination airport despite known crosswind conditions, which led to the aircraft departing the runway when a wind gust subsided.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X09666. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

Loading the flight search…