Cessna 182E N3351Y accident near Edenton, North Carolina

Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for crosswind conditions while landing, which resulted in a loss of directional control.

NTSB analysis

According to the accident pilot, the wind was reported to be from 100 degrees at 8 knots. Another pilot announced over the common radio frequency that he was conducting touch-and-go practice takeoffs and landings on runway 01, which had a direct crosswind. The accident pilot maneuvered the airplane onto the traffic pattern and completed the before landing checks. The airplane touched down on the runway and during the landing roll out a gust of wind from the right rear lifted the tail of the airplane up and the airplane veered to the left. The airplane continued off the runway into the grass and nosed over. The airplane sustained structural damage to the airframe and the pilot reported no preexisting mechanical problems with the airframe, flight controls, engine assembly or accessories.

The surface weather observation system at the destination airport at the time of the accident was not reporting any wind gusts. In addition, the airport manager stated that there were no wind gusts present at the time of the accident. A witness stated that he observed the airplane about 6 feet above the runway with the wings rocking from right to left and the crosswind was pushing the airplane across the runway to the left.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA10CA448 for the full record.