Piper PA28 N416RP accident near Pinecreek, Minnesota

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane in gusting crosswind conditions.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported he was performing a touch-and-go landing with a gusting crosswind when during the landing flare, the wind gust increased, and the left wing raised up. The pilot added more crosswind control inputs, but overcorrected. The airplane yawed left and the pilot lost control of the airplane. The airplane departed the side of the runway and impacted the terrain coming to rest in the grass. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, the pilot was landing the airplane on runway 33 with wind from 270o at 9 knots with gusts to 19 knots. The pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented if he would have performed a go-around.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN21LA228 for the full record.