On 7 Nov 2009, a PIPER PA32 301 was involved in an aviation accident near Jacksonvile, FL. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing in gusty crosswind conditions. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A pilot overcorrected for a crosswind during landing rollout on runway 11, causing a runway excursion that collapsed the nose gear, damaged the propeller, and wrinkled the firewall. The pilot was uninjured.
Incident Overview
A pilot completing a VFR approach after a cross-country flight landed on runway 11. During the landing rollout, a crosswind pushed the aircraft to the right side of the runway. The pilot reported overcorrecting for the crosswind, which caused the aircraft to exit the runway to the left.
Damage and Injuries
The runway excursion resulted in the collapse of the nose landing gear, damage to the propeller, and a wrinkled firewall. The pilot was uninjured in the accident.
Weather and Mechanical Condition
The wind at the time of the accident was from 070 degrees at 8 knots with gusts up to 17 knots. No prior mechanical anomalies were reported by the pilot.
Contributing factors
Directional control — Not attained/maintainedEffect on operationPilot