PA28 Flight Instructor reported student landing during designated and personal maximum crosswind conditions resulted in loss of aircraft control on ground; wingtip strike and runway excursion.
Synopsis
PA28 Flight Instructor reported student landing during designated and personal maximum crosswind conditions resulted in loss of aircraft control on ground; wingtip strike and runway excursion.
Narrative
I am a flight instructor with a Cfi initial certificate and instruct at Company in ZZZ. This report is pertaining to a runway excursion at ZZZ on Runway XX. On the day of Day 0; I endorsed my current private pilot student for his first solo cross-country flight from ZZZ to ZZZ via ZZZ VOR; ZZZ1; ZZZ VOR and back to ZZZ. Prior to the flight; I performed a preflight and my student also performed a preflight. We then called for a weather briefing and to file a VFR flight plan in a piper cherokee PA-28-140 along the route of flight; specifically asking about winds; windshear and intensity of possible future rain showers. One important detail from the briefing noted winds at our home airport of ZZZ would be around 5 kts. when he planned to return. Prior to him taking off; we reviewed the dangers and hazards associated with cross-country flights and conditions; such as high winds or gusts; which would demand a diversion from any airports of intended landing. On his arrival back to ZZZ; the AFIS stated winds were 130 at 10 kts.; however it was also gusting 17. This is well above Company's; school policy on maximum crosswind conditions which the student was aware of and signed in his contract; as well as being above his personal minimums. The student continued to land on XX despite the adverse conditions; and on touchdown gusts caused him to strike the runway with the righthand wingtip. The student stated that he immediately used full left aileron to raise the wingtip; causing a skidding left turn 180 degrees off the runway into the grass. At this point; the student shutdown the airplane and called me; stating he was off the runway. After some confusion; I realized he meant a runway excursion. At no point did he tell me; there was any damage made to the aircraft and I asked for clarification if he was on the gravel runway parallel to Runway XX. The student responded; 'Yes;' incorrectly. I asked; 'can you move the plane off the runway?' He responded; 'No.' I said to stay put with the airplane shutdown. He then called me a few minutes later saying he taxiid the aircraft onto the ramp; where he did shutdown the aircraft. The student did not experience any injuries at all; nor was there was no property damage to the airport or airport environment. Aircraft damage consisted solely of a scuffed right hand wingtip cover.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.