Piper PA-28-180 N16528 accident near Lincoln Park, New Jersey

Probable cause

The pilot's loss of directional control during an aborted landing in crosswind conditions.

NTSB analysis

The pilot was attempting to make his final approach and landing after the preceding three successful landings in gusty crosswind conditions. The pilot described that during touchdown, the airplane bounced once and became airborne when it was struck by a strong gust of wind. The pilot aborted the landing by adding full power, retracting one notch of flaps, and attempted to re-center the airplane on the runway. The airplane then departed the runway surface and impacted the trees bordering the left side of the runway, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot report that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA21LA226 for the full record.