CHI01LA039

The airplane impacted the terrain following a loss of control on landing. The landing was being made on runway 35 and the pilot reported the winds were from 280 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 20 knots. The airplane weathervaned to the left after touchdown. It traveled off the left side of the runway where it contacted a runway light. The pilot applied right rudder at which time, the airplane crossed back over the runway and traveled off the right side of the runway where it contacted a gully. The airplane became airborne, contacted a tree, and impacted the terrain. The pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented with, "Better judgment and a more acute awareness of just how strong the crosswind actually was."

On November 18, 2000, at 1250 central standard time, an Aeronca 7CCM-200, N4706E, collided with trees following a loss of control while landing on runway 35 (2,684 feet by 50 feet) at the Corning Municipal Airport, Corning, Iowa. The airline transport rated pilot was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. The flight originated from Plattsmouth, Nebraska, at 1230 central standard time, and was en route to Winterset, Iowa, when the pilot decided to perform a touch and go at the accident airport.

The pilot initiated the cross-country flight from a private airstrip 3 miles east of Plattsmouth, Nebraska. He flew to Red Oak, Iowa, where he made a landing, then proceeded to Corning, Iowa. Upon arriving at Corning, the pilot entered a left downwind for runway 35. He reported the winds were out of the west, but they slightly favored runway 35. The pilot reported, "On final I established a left wing low approach to account for the left crosswind. However, I failed to take into account just how strong the wind was blowing." He reported the airplane touched down on the left main gear first and as it decelerated, it weathervaned to the left. The airplane departed the left side of the runway where the left main gear contacted a runway light. The pilot reported that the terrain "pitched sharply down" and he applied right rudder. The airplane then crossed back over the runway and traveled off the right side of the runway. The pilot reported the airplane contacted a gully alongside the runway. The airplane became airborne, contacted a tree, and impacted the terrain.

The pilot reported winds were from 280 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 20 knots. The winds reported at the airport at the Creston Municipal Airport, 23 miles east of the accident site, at 1245 central standard time, were from 280 degrees at 18 knots, gusting to 25 knots.

The pilot completed a NTSB Form 6120.1/2. On the form, he reported that the accident could have been prevented with, "Better judgment and a more acute awareness of just how strong the crosswind actually was."