On March 28, 1998, a Piper PA-32-300 (registration N31699) was involved in an aviation accident near Red Hook, NY. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: inadequate compensation for the crosswind by the pilot, and his failure to maintain directional control during the landing. Related factors were: the gusty crosswind condition, and high vegetation that was encountered after departing the runway. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A pilot reported that during landing on runway 19, a strong wind gust lifted the airplane and right wing before nosewheel touchdown, causing loss of directional control and a veer off the left side into a wet, wooded area.
Event Description
A pilot reported an incident during landing on runway 19. The wind was variable from the south and west at 10 knots, with gusts to 25 knots. During the landing sequence, the main landing gear touched down, but before the nosewheel made contact with the runway, a strong wind gust from the southwest lifted the airplane and its right wing. This caused the pilot to lose directional control, and the airplane veered off the left side of the runway.
Aftermath
The aircraft departed the paved surface and entered a wet, slippery wooded area adjacent to the runway. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction with the airplane throughout the flight or during the landing attempt.