CHI95TA151

Prior to the pilot's departure, the winds were reported to be 040 degrees at 11 knots. The pilot believed that the wind would subside as it typically did in the evening for his return back to his departure airport. Upon return to the airport, the pilot crabbed the airplane into the wind to compensate for the crosswind. Approximately 100 feet above the runway, the pilot removed the crab correction and the airplane drifted to the left. As the airplane touched down on the runway, left of the centerline, it ballooned and exited the side of the runway. The airplane's nose wheel dug into the soft ground and the airplane nosed over.

On April 25, 1995, at 1950 central daylight time, a Cessna 172, N4183G, operated by the Minnesota Wing, Civil Patrol of St. Paul, Minnesota, sustained substantial damage when it exited the runway and nosed over while landing at Hutchinson Muni-Butler Field Airport, Hutchinson, Minnesota. The private pilot and passenger reported no injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight operated without a flight plan in visual meteorological conditions.

A NTSB Form 6120.1/2 was submitted by the operator. In the detailed written statement, the operator stated the pilot obtained a weather briefing from AWOS prior to his departure. At that time, the winds were reported to be 040 degrees at 11 knots. The pilot believed the wind would subside as it typically did in the evening for his arrival back to Hutchinson. While taking off, the pilot experienced a right crosswind.

The flight was uneventful. Upon returning to Hutchinson the pilot prepared to land. While on final approach to runway 33 (4000' x 100'), the pilot crabbed the airplane into the wind to compensate for the crosswind. At this time, the pilot did not think the wind to be severe. At approximately 100 feet above the ground, the pilot removed the crab correction and the airplane drifted to the left. During the flare, the airplane was halfway between the centerline of the runway and the left edge. The pilot angled the airplane to the right and as the airplane touched down, it ballooned back into the air. The pilot tried to salvage the landing by adding power. The operator stated that as the airplane touched down again on the runway, it started to exit the runway on the left. The pilot attempted to do a go around at this time, but the nose wheel dug into the soft ground adjacent to the runway and the airplane nosed over.