Piper PA-28-161 N8330S accident near Raleigh, North Carolina

Probable cause

The pilot's loss of directional control while landing in gusting wind conditions.

NTSB analysis

According to the pilot, the airplane encountered a gust of wind at the start of the landing flare, and the airplane drifted to the left side of the runway. The airplane touched down, and during the landing roll, the left main landing gear departed the left side of the runway. The pilot unsuccessfully attempted to control the airplane with rudder input, but the left wing struck a tree, and the airplane veered to the left and came to rest in mud, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing. The wind recorded at an airport 14 miles to the south about the time of the accident, was from 200 degrees at 12 knots, gusting to 16 knots. The pilot reported there were no preexisting mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA12CA160 for the full record.