This June 2010 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: Diamond DA-40. Injuries: None. Location: Farmingdale, N.Y. Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: The student pilot was attempting to land on runway 32. During the landing flare, the airplane floated and the airspeed decreased.
He applied power, but the airplane touched down hard and veered to the left. The airplane went through the grass infield, hit a runway sign, then went across several taxiways and grass areas before it hit a parked airplane and came to a stop.
Winds at the airport, recorded 23 minutes after the accident, were from 240° at 11 knots, with gusts to 20 knots, which resulted in a crosswind condition.
Probable cause: The student’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during a crosswind landing.
For more information: NTSB.gov. NTSB Identification: ERA10CA341
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Why the hell was a student pilot flying solo in an 80 degree crosswind blowing 11 gusting 20? Â Yes a go around would have prevented the accident but better limitations by the instructor would have prevented the whole situation.