No fatalities

29 Jul 2012: PIPER PA-16 — WILLIS CLIFTON L — Keokuk, IA

Keokuk, IA, United States

On 29 Jul 2012, a PIPER PA-16 operated by WILLIS CLIFTON L was involved in an aviation accident near Keokuk, IA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s loss of directional control during the landing roll in a variable crosswind, which resulted in a runway excursion. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 7 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot and two passengers departed on a cross-country flight. Approaching the destination, wind conditions changed. During landing roll on runway 8, the right wing lifted, the airplane veered right, and came to rest in grass with substantial fuselage damage.

Flight Details

The pilot and two passengers departed on a cross-country flight. As they approached their destination airport, the pilot monitored the airport’s automated weather reporting station. He reported that the wind conditions changed as they got closer, initially from 160 degrees at 7 knots, to 200 degrees at 9 knots, and then to 180 degrees at 8 knots.

Approach and Landing

The pilot made an initial approach to runway 26. However, upon circling the airport, he observed that the windsock favored runway 8. He then landed on runway 8. During the landing roll, the airplane’s right wing lifted. The pilot stated he was unable to lower the wing. The airplane then veered to the right and continued off the side of the runway.

Damage

The airplane came to rest in the grass. It sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, just forward of the empennage. The pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the airplane.

Contributing factors

Causes

PilotDirectional control — Not attained/maintained

Other contributing factors

Response/compensation