Wind gust causes wing strike and ground excursion at Lee Airport

Casualties unknown • Annapolis, MD, US

A sudden wind gust caused an aircraft to strike the ground with its left wing tip and wheel following a landing at Lee Airport, Maryland.

What happened

Upon completing a landing on runway 30 at Lee Airport (ANP) in Annapolis, Maryland, the aircraft was struck by a sudden gust of wind. The force of the wind lifted the right wing vertically, causing the left wing tip and the left wheel to make contact with the ground. Following this impact, the aircraft performed a 180-degree turn and came to a stop in an upright position on the left side of the runway.

The pilot reported that during the approach for landing, the wind was blowing down the runway at approximately 11 knots, which did not necessitate a crosswind landing technique. Weather observations from Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) indicated winds from 040 degrees at 9 knots, with gusts reaching 17 knots. The pilot confirmed that there were no mechanical deficiencies present in the aircraft at the time of the event. There were no injuries reported.

Probable cause

A sudden gust of wind caused the right wing to lift, leading to a wing tip and wheel strike on the runway.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2001-04-28 Piper J3-C65 accident near Annapolis, MD?

A sudden wind gust caused an aircraft to strike the ground with its left wing tip and wheel following a landing at Lee Airport, Maryland.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2001-04-28 involved a Piper J3-C65, registration N26096, at Annapolis, MD.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

A sudden gust of wind caused the right wing to lift, leading to a wing tip and wheel strike on the runway.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20010504X00880. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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