This March 2007 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Aircraft: Cessna 172.
Location: Norfolk, Va.
Injuries: None.
Aircraft damage: Minor.
What reportedly happened: The pilot was attempting to land on a 9,001- x 150-foot-wide asphalt runway in a crosswind.
While on short final, the pilot performed a sideslip to correct for the crosswind. Upon landing, the airplane began to veer to the right. The pilot tried to correct with rudder, but the airplane continued off the right side of the runway and hit a runway sign.
Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing, which resulted in a collision with a runway sign. The crosswind was a factor.
For more information: NTSB.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_id=20070415X00415&key=1.
