LAX00LA161

The pilot stated he lost directional control of the airplane during a crosswind landing. The airplane departed the left side of the runway into a muddy area, nosed down, and then returned to the main landing gear.

On April 19, 2000, at 1320 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 152, N6251Q, veered off runway 29 during a crosswind landing at Murray Field, Eureka, California. The airplane, operated by Northern Air and rented by the pilot for a personal flight under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, sustained substantial damage. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the local area flight that departed Murray Field at 1220, and was scheduled to terminate at the airport. No flight plan was filed.

In an interview with a Safety Board investigator, the pilot reported that he had been practicing touch-and-go takeoffs and landings. He had done five touch-and-go's before he departed the pattern for the practice area. About an hour later he returned to the airport to terminate the flight. He stated that the approach and touchdown were normal with a slight correction for the existing crosswind. On the landing rollout, the nose wheel touched down and the airplane veered to the left. The pilot stated that after the left wheel dropped off of the runway, he lost directional control of the airplane. After the right wheel departed the runway, the airplane became lodged in the mud, where it nosed down, then returned to the main landing gear. The pilot stated that there were no anomalies noted with the airplane or the braking system.