Piper PA-24 N7708P accident near Stratford, Connecticut

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing in a crosswind.

NTSB analysis

The private pilot reported that, as the airplane approached the airport after the cross-country flight, he checked the weather, which indicated that the surface wind was from 230 degrees at 10 knots. He chose to land on runway 29 because runway 24 was closed. He stated that, on final approach, the "crosswind became evident." After touchdown, the airplane veered sharply left. The pilot used steering and braking inputs to keep the airplane on the runway, but his efforts were not successful, and there was no noticeable reduction in speed. The airplane subsequently exited the runway surface and spun sharply left. The right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and right wing. Examination of the brakes, rudder, and nose wheel steering systems revealed no discrepancies.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA15LA356 for the full record.