On 13 Sep 2013, a PIPER PA28 151 151 operated by IVANOV TOCHEV T was involved in an aviation accident near Abingdon, VA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during a crosswind landing resulting in collision with terrain and aft displacement of the nose landing gear. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
During a landing on Runway 06 in gusty crosswind conditions, the airplane veered left after a gust at under 60 knots, exited the runway onto wet grass, and struck a gulley, damaging the nose landing gear and engine mount.
Incident Details
The pilot reported that after takeoff, he proceeded to the accident airport, where the wind was forecast to be from 340 degrees gusting to 12 knots. On final approach for runway 06, he made minor crosswind corrections and executed a normal landing. After touchdown on the runway centerline while at just under 60 knots, a wind gust occurred. He applied right rudder and aileron control inputs, but the airplane was pointed toward the left edge of the runway. The airplane departed the runway onto wet grass, resulting in reduced braking action.
Aftermath
The airplane continued into a gulley, causing aft displacement of the nose landing gear. Following recovery of the airplane, several tubes of the engine mount were found fractured.