IAD02LA038

Two Civil Air Patrol pilots departed on the first leg of a cross country proficiency flight. The pilot was seated in the right front seat and the second pilot sat in the left front seat. The second pilot flew the first leg of the trip, but transferred control of the airplane to the pilot after she lost sight of the airport while in the traffic pattern at the destination airport. The pilot assumed control of the airplane, exited the pattern, and reestablished a normal right downwind pattern entry. He then transferred control of the airplane back to the second pilot. Upon turning final, the airplane was high. The pilot again took control of the airplane, flew the approach, and landed on runway 24. When the airplane touched down, it swerved off the right side of the runway and went into a marsh. The pilot said the crosswind component was more severe than what was reported, and was between 45 and 60 degrees off the runway heading. The pilot also said that he did not correct for the crosswind and the perspective that he had from flying in the right seat contributed to the accident. Wind reported at an airport 12 miles away were from 220 degrees at 10 knots gusting to 20 knots.

On March 24, 2002, at 1350 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172P, N9847L, operated by the Civil Air Patrol, was substantially damaged during landing on runway 24 at Ocean City Municipal Airport (26N), Ocean City, New Jersey. The certificated private pilot in command and the second pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that originated at Doylestown Airport, Doylestown, Pennsylvania, at 1200. No flight plan was filed for the cross country proficiency flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to the pilot, the second pilot flew the first leg of the trip and sat in the front left seat, while he sat in the front right seat.

Prior to landing, wind information was obtained from the Atlantic City International Airport (ACY), Atlantic City, New Jersey, which was about 12 miles from the destination airport. The weather information included wind from 220 degrees at 10 knots gusting to 20 knots. Both pilots reviewed the weather information, and decided to land at Ocean City as planned.

The pilot stated that the second pilot lost sight of the airport while in the traffic pattern at the destination airport, and transferred control of the airplane over to him. He then assumed control of the airplane, exited the pattern, and reestablished a normal right downwind pattern entry. The pilot then transferred control of the airplane back to the second pilot. Upon turning final, the airplane was above the glide slope. The pilot again took control of the airplane, flew the approach, and landed on runway 24. When the airplane touched down, it swerved off the right side of the runway and went into a marsh. He said the crosswind component was more severe than what was reported, and was between 45 and 60 degrees off the runway heading.

The pilot also said that he struggled flying the airplane due to light wind and turbulence, and that he did not correct for the crosswind. Additionally, he said the cause of the accident was a combination of the crosswind and the different perspective he had from flying the airplane from the right seat.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector performed an on-scene examination of the airplane. According to an inspector, the airplane sustained damage to the propeller and cowling. Additionally, the right wing tip area was bent upwards, and the wing was displaced aft. Damage was also noted at the wing root and to the right flap.

The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single engine land. He reported a total of 279 flight hours, of which 106 hours were in make and model. He also reported there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane.

The second pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single engine land. She reported a total of 132 flight hours, of which 7 hours were in make and model.

Weather reported at Atlantic City International Airport (ACY), Atlantic City, New Jersey, at 1354, included wind from 230 degrees at 11 knots, gusting to 23 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, and clear skies.