IAD01LA044

Prior to landing, the pilot checked the airport's wind conditions, which were reported from 300 degrees at 6 knots. He landed on runway 21, a 3,602-foot long and 75-foot wide asphalt runway. On landing roll-out, the pilot reported that he experienced a sudden gust of cross-wind from the west, and the airplane began to drift to the left toward the grass median. When all three tires were on the grass, the pilot applied full brakes. The left main gear got wedged inside a drainage pipe, and the airplane turned around on the left main wheel. The pilot reported that the winds were from 300 degrees at 6 knots gusting to 10 knots. The also pilot reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies.

On March 28, 2001, at 1400 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-140, N1046H, was substantially damaged during landing roll-out on runway 21 at Hammonton Municipal Airport (N81), Hammonton, New Jersey. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot was returning to N81 after flying in the local area with his wife. In a written statement, he said:

"Once in close proximity to airport we listened to the Automated Unicom at Hammonton airport, wind was reported as 'calm.' Circled airport to visually check windsock at Hammonton for further verification. Rechecked Automated Unicom once again, it advised of crosswinds out of 300 degrees at 6 knots. Proceeded into traffic pattern for runway 21 at Hammonton (N81). On final approach, everything seemed in control - smooth touchdown. Once on runway 21, I noticed that I was not on the centerline of the runway. Aircraft then drifted off runway to the left. Once the left tire left the runway pavement, I committed myself to stop immediately. Locked brakes on grass once all wheels were off the pavement. The left wheel got wedged inside of a steel drainage pipe and ultimately spun aircraft around left wheel, damaging left main strut, wheel and wing section. "

The pilot also reported that the winds were from 300 degrees at 6 knots, gusting to 10 knots.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector interviewed the pilot. According to the inspector's record of conversation, the pilot reported that he had a "good" landing roll on runway 21, when a "sudden gust of cross wind" from the west caused the aircraft to drift off the runway.

The inspector performed an on-scene examination on March 29, 2001. According to the inspector, the left main landing gear and outboard section of the left wing were damaged.

Runway 21 was a 3,602-foot long and 75-foot wide asphalt runway.

The winds at Atlantic City International Airport, about 15 miles from N81, at 1354 were from 300 degrees at 11 knots, gusting to 19 knots.

The pilot reported a total of 109 flight hours, of which 94.7 hours were in make and model. The pilot also reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies.