Mooney M20F N9137V accident near Ridgeland, South Carolina

Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for a crosswind during landing. A factor contributing to the accident was the crosswind.

NTSB analysis

The pilot entered the downwind leg of the traffic pattern for runway 21, and noticed that the wind sock was "straight out and quartering." He reported that at his altitude of 1,000 feet, there was "moderate to severe turbulence," and he initially entertained returning to the departure airport, but instead decided to continue the approach and landing. While on final approach, the pilot crabbed the airplane to the right, and held it there until the airplane was about 5 feet above the ground, before he leveled the wings. He began the landing over runway centerline, but the wind pushed the airplane "hard to the left" until the landing gear was over the runway edge lights. The pilot again considered aborting the landing, but then the landing gear struck an unknown object, and the left wing struck the ground. The airplane came to rest shortly thereafter, with substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. The reported winds at an airport 14 nautical miles east of the accident location, and about 40 minutes after the accident, were from 150 degrees at 6 knots, with gusts to 15 knots.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for NYC08CA277 for the full record.