Aircraft: RV-9A. Injuries: 2 Minor. Location: Brunswick, Ga. Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: As the pilot approached the destination airport, he received a radio call from another pilot who reported leaving the traffic pattern at the destination airport because of wind conditions. The pilot continued his approach to land but later aborted the landing due to strong crosswind conditions.
After obtaining current wind information from the airport’s Unicom frequency, he decided to attempt a landing on runway 22.
After the airplane crossed the airport perimeter fence, the nose hit the ground and the airplane skidded down the left side of the runway before coming to a stop.
A post-crash fire consumed much of the wreckage with the exception of the empennage and outboard sections of both wings. At the time of the accident, airport ground personnel reported wind from 260° at 18 knots gusting to 26 knots.
Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control while landing in gusting wind conditions.
NTSB Identification: ERA13CA098
This December 2012 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.
Agreed; that should not have been too much for an experienced pilot.
That said, How did this poor soul find himself in winds @18g26 if it was more than he could handle? Nobody likes to fly in that. If local traffic is diverting to an alternate, I think I’m going to do the same. Sounds like a case of “Get-home-itis”, which has killed many pilots.
He should consider himself lucky he saved his 10-cent a$$.
Crosswind “component” for 18 to 26 knots winds that are 40 degrees off runway heading would be 11.5 to 16.5 knots. While the gusting crosswind was likely a hands full landing it was probably doable by most experienced pilots and should not have been a cause for an accident. On the other hand the most prudent thing to do is find an airport with the wind more in line with the runway when the crosswind component exceeds the capability of the pilot or aircraft or both………..