Piper PA28 151 N4379F accident near Abingdon, Virginia

Probable cause

The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during a crosswind landing resulting in collision with terrain and aft displacement of the nose landing gear.

NTSB analysis

The pilot stated that after takeoff he proceeded to the accident airport where the wind was forecast to be from 340 degrees gusting to 12 knots. On final approach for runway 6, he made minor crosswind corrections and executed a normal landing. After touchdown on runway centerline while at just under 60 knots, a wind gust occurred and he applied right rudder and aileron control inputs but the airplane was pointed at the left edge of the runway. The airplane went off the runway onto wet grass resulting in reduced braking action. The airplane travelled into a gulley resulting in aft displacement of the nose landing gear. Following recovery of the airplane several tubes of the engine mount were fractured.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA13CA419 for the full record.