LAX96LA253

The airplane touched down left of centerline and rolled for about 2,000 feet. The airplane encountered a crosswind gust of 9 knots. The pilot held the right wing down and when that did not work he added power. The airplane then veered right across the runway onto the shoulder and struck the runway light remote control unit. The airplane continued across the parallel taxiway and into a rocky area. The airplane covered a distance of approximately 4,000 feet on the ground before coming to a stop. Examination of the airplane brakes found no evidence of malfunction. The pilot operating handbook states in part, 'When landing in a crosswind, use the minimum flap setting required for the field length. After touchdown, hold a straight course with the steerable nose wheel and occasional braking if necessary.' The pilot also indicated that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane.

On June 29, 1996, at 1230 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna P210, N4766K, collided with the terrain after an on ground loss of control while landing on runway 01 at the Valle Airport, Grand Canyon, Arizona. The airplane was being operated as a personal flight by the pilot/owner under 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The airplane was destroyed and the certificated private pilot received minor injuries. The sole passenger was not injured. The flight originated from the North Las Vegas Airport, Las Vegas, Nevada, about 1100 hours. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time.

The pilot indicated the airplane landed fine and encountered a crosswind gust. The pilot stated he held the right wing down and when that did not work he added power. The airplane veered right and departed the runway. The airplane traveled several hundred feet before colliding with rough and uneven terrain. The pilot also indicated that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane.

An airworthiness inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Las Vegas Flight Standards District Office examined the accident airplane at the Valle Airport. According to the inspector, the airplane touched down left of centerline and rolled for about 2,000 feet. The airplane then veered right across the runway onto the right shoulder and struck the runway light remote control unit. The airplane continued across the parallel taxiway and into a rocky area. The airplane covered a distance of approximately 4,000 feet on the ground before coming to a stop. The airworthiness inspector examined the airplane brakes and found no evidence of malfunction.

The pilot operating handbook for the Cessna P210 states, "When landing in a crosswind, use the minimum flap setting required for the field length. Although the crab method of drift corrections may be used, the wing low method gives the best control. After touchdown, hold a straight course with the steerable nose wheel and occasional braking if necessary."

The winds at the airport were reported to be from 080 degrees at 9 knots at the approximate time of the accident.