Incident Overview
On April 18, 2008, at 1130 central daylight time, a Piper PA-32-260 (registration N32394) experienced a loss of control while landing on runway 30 at Davidson Airport in Vermillion, South Dakota. The runway is 4,105 feet long and 75 feet wide, surfaced with concrete. The pilot and three passengers were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall and left wing.
Flight Details
The flight was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Rapid City, South Dakota, at 0805 mountain daylight time.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that the local winds were from 020 degrees at 14 knots at the time of landing. After touchdown, the wind pushed the airplane off the left side of the runway. The nose gear collapsed, and the airplane came to rest after contacting an area of grass and soft sand. The pilot stated that he did not use enough rudder to compensate for the wind.