Probable cause
The pilot’s inadequate compensation for winds during the landing roll.
NTSB analysis
The pilot explained that he was landing with a gusting 70° left crosswind and felt the windspeed and gust spread were within his capabilities. During rollout, the wind pushed the tail to the airplane’s right, the nose to the left, and the pilot was “hesitant to give the airplane more right rudder” to maintain directional control before it departed the left side of the runway. Following the runway excursion, the nose landing gear dug into the turf surface, bent the nose gear aft, and bent the engine mount, which substantially damaged the airplane. The pilot reported there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane that would have prevented normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA22LA077 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Nov 23, 2021
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Orlando, Florida
- Nearest airport
- Sanford (SFB)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-32-301
- N-number
- N81991
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1980
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.