On April 27, 2003, a Stinson 108 (registration N97376) was involved in an aviation accident near Brookville, OH. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's improper decision to continue the landing despite a bounced touchdown and subsequent loss of directional control in crosswind conditions. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot bounced on touchdown during a crosswind landing and overcorrected, causing the aircraft to leave the runway and enter a ditch.
What happened
The pilot was conducting a landing operation on an asphalt runway measuring 2,500 feet in length and 30 feet in width. Conditions included a right crosswind component. Upon initial touchdown, the main landing gear contacted the pavement with the right side striking first. The aircraft then bounced back into the air before settling onto the left main gear.
Following this bounce, the airplane began to veer toward the right side of the runway. In response, the pilot applied significant control inputs, pulling back on the control stick and simultaneously moving it to the left. These actions caused the aircraft to depart the paved surface from the left side, entering a ditch adjacent to the runway.
Probable cause
The pilot's improper decision to continue the landing despite a bounced touchdown and subsequent loss of directional control in crosswind conditions.