No fatalities

21 May 2014: WONDER MICHAEL S HARMON ROCKET — Winston Salem, NC

Winston Salem, NC, United States

On 21 May 2014, a WONDER MICHAEL S HARMON ROCKET was involved in an aviation accident near Winston Salem, NC. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing in a gusty crosswind which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with terrain. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

During a landing attempt at an airport, a pilot experienced directional control difficulties in gusty crosswind conditions, resulting in the aircraft departing the paved surface and sustaining substantial damage to the engine mount and left wing.

Approach and Landing

According to the pilot's written statement, while on approach for a straight-in landing to runway 33, the tower reported winds at 250 degrees at 13 or 14 knots with gusts. The pilot elected to abandon the approach to runway 33 and requested a landing on runway 22. The pilot entered a left downwind for runway 22.

On final approach, the pilot stated he saw a quartering right crosswind at 18 to 19 knots on his onboard system. Upon touchdown, the aircraft "began a weathervane" and the pilot elected to go around. After circling the airport, the pilot attempted another approach to runway 22.

Second Attempt and Accident

On this approach, the pilot used partial flaps and lined up on the left side of the runway. The pilot stated that upon touchdown, the aircraft required almost full left rudder to maintain directional control. The pilot stated that he believed he "got an additional right wind gust." At that time, the aircraft swerved sharply to the right where it exited the paved surface and rolled onto the grass.

Damage and Conditions

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mount and left wing. The calculated crosswind component at the time of the accident, using the AWOS reported winds, was 13 knots. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Contributing factors

Causes

Directional control — Not attained/maintainedPilot

Other contributing factors

Effect on operation