DEN05CA107

The pilot said he listened to the local weather observation and noted uncharacteristic northerly winds of 10 knots, gusting to 17 knots at his time of arrival. He said he then performed a crosswind landing on runway 25 (6,500 feet by 75 feet, dry asphalt). After approximately a 20 foot ground roll, a gust of wind lifted the aircraft off the runway and pivoted it left (counterclockwise). The airplane then touched down off the side of the runway, impacted a rock, and nosed down. The pilot exited the aircraft and pushed it back upright to stop fuel from leaking. An examination of the airplane showed no anomalies. At 1653, the wind conditions at Vernal, Utah (VEL), located 26 nautical miles east of the accident site, were 240 degrees at 8 knots. The wind conditions 33 minutes prior to the accident were 190 degrees at 13 knots, gusting 16 knots. The crosswind component at that time was calculated as 11 knots.

On July 9, 2005, at approximately 1630 mountain daylight time, a Taylorcraft BC12-65, N36044, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged while landing at the Roosevelt Municipal Airport (74V), Roosevelt, Utah. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal cross-country flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot was not injured. The flight originated at Heber City, Utah, at approximately 1530.

The pilot said he listened to the local weather observation and noted uncharacteristic northerly winds of 10 knots, gusting to 17 knots at his time of arrival. He said he then performed a crosswind landing on runway 25 (6,500 feet by 75 feet, dry asphalt). After approximately a 20 foot ground roll, a gust of wind lifted the aircraft off the runway and pivoted it left (counterclockwise). The airplane then touched down off the side of the runway, impacted a rock, and nosed down. The pilot exited the aircraft and pushed it back upright to stop fuel from leaking.

An examination of the airplane showed the airplane's propeller bent aft, and the left wing broken aft to include the left wing spar. Flight control continuity was confirmed. An examination of the engine, engine controls, and other airplane systems showed no anomalies.

At 1653, the wind conditions at Vernal, Utah (VEL), located 26 nautical miles east of the accident site, were 240 degrees at 8 knots. The wind conditions 33 minutes prior to the accident were 190 degrees at 13 knots, gusting 16 knots. The crosswind component at that time was calculated as 11 knots.