What happened
On 04 February 2006, a PIPER PA28-140, registration ZS-EXR, was conducting a private flight from Virginia Aerodrome toward New Tempe Aerodrome. The flight, which included the pilot and one passenger, encountered turbulent weather during the transit.
While attempting to land on runway 28 at New Tempe, the aircraft drifted left of the centerline at an airspeed of roughly 85 knots. The pilot subsequently initiated a missed approach and climbed to 5,500 feet. Following a second approach, the pilot opted to land on runway 01. During this landing, a crosswind from the left caused the aircraft to veer left, exiting the runway and coming to rest on the grass. Both occupants sustained minor facial injuries.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. The weather was reported as clear with scattered clouds, though winds from 230 degrees were gusting. The investigation noted that the aircraft's nose wheel and fork separated from the airframe upon impact, the propeller blades were bent, and the right-hand wing sustained damage.
Records indicated that the aircraft had flown approximately 60.58 hours since its last mandatory periodic inspection (MPI), which had been completed in August 2005. Additionally, the pilot noted that severe wind gusts had caused three other aircraft to be blown over at the aerodrome later that same afternoon.