27 Aug 2010: CESSNA 182E — Floyd W. Griffin Jr.

27 Aug 2010: CESSNA 182E — Floyd W. Griffin Jr.

No fatalities • Edenton, NC, United States

Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for crosswind conditions while landing, which resulted in a loss of directional control.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

According to the accident pilot, he canceled his instrument flight rules flight plan and contacted his destination airport UNICOM radio frequency for airport information. The winds were reported at 100 degrees at 8 knots. The accident pilot overheard a light-sport pilot on the frequency, stating he was conducting touch and go landings on runway 1. He contacted the light-sport pilot and questioned the use of the runway. The light-sport pilot replied "it's a direct crosswind, it's not that bad." The accident pilot heard another pilot report entering the traffic pattern for landing on runway 1 and the accident pilot entered the traffic pattern for runway 1, then completed the before landing checks. The airplane touched down on the runway and was on landing roll out. The pilot stated a gust of wind from the right rear lifted the tail of the airplane up and the airplane veered to the left. The surface weather observation system at the destination airport at the time of the accident was not reporting any wind gusts. In addition, the airport manager stated there were no wind gusts present at the time of the accident. A witness stated that the airplane was about 6 to 7 feet off the runway. The wings were rocking from right to left, and the crosswind was pushing the airplane across the runway to the left. The accident pilot stated that when the airplane started veering to the left he applied right rudder and left aileron, which had no effect. The airplane went off the left side of the runway into the grass and nosed over inverted. The airplane sustained structural damage to the airframe and the pilot reported no preexisting mechanical problems with the airframe, flight controls, engine assembly or accessories.

Contributing factors

  • cause Directional control — Not attained/maintained
  • cause Pilot
  • Response/compensation

Conditions

Weather
VMC, wind 100/08kt

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