Accident Overview
During the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, the pilot sensed the airplane being "pulled" to the left. As the aircraft touched down on runway 27, it veered off the left side of the runway, crossed a grass area, and came to a stop just short of an aircraft hangar.
Pilot Report
The pilot stated that prior to takeoff and again before landing, he checked the windsock, which indicated wind out of the southwest at approximately 5 to 7 knots. He noted that his normal technique for correcting a crosswind was to "fly the airplane into the wind." The pilot also explained that the airplane veered off the runway as he was repositioning his feet from the rudder pedals to the brake pedals. No mechanical deficiencies with the airplane were reported.
Pilot Experience
The pilot reported 115 hours of total flight time, with 94 hours in the same make and model of airplane.