MIA00LA235

The pilot was landing with a known crosswind condition. He stated he encountered a gust and lost directional control while attempting a go-around resulting in an in-flight collision with trees and terrain. Review of surface weather information for the arrival airport revealed no evidence of wind shear or gusts at the time of the accident.

On August 10, 2000, at about 1515 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-160, N5422W, registered to a private owner, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed on landing at the Crossville Memorial Airport, Crossville, Tennessee, (CSV). Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The private pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated from Lexington, Tennessee, (M52), about 1 hour 15 minutes before the accident.

The pilot stated before he departed M52 that he obtained a full weather briefing from the Lexington FAA Automated Flight Service Station. The forecaster informed the pilot that the winds at CSV were 210 degrees at 8 to 10 knots with high gusts. Upon arrival in the vicinity of CSV, he attempted contact with the airport operator on the UNICOM frequency with negative results. He made a 45-degree entry to the downwind for runway 26, and completed his before landing checks. He turned on the final approach with a crosswind and lowered the flaps to the full down position. As he started to round out, he experienced a gust of wind, and lost directional control of the airplane. He attempted a go-around by raising the flaps one notch and increasing power. The airplane collided with trees and crashed.

A rated pilot witness was standing in the doorway of a hangar located at CSV, adjacent to the final approach for runway 26. He stated there had been a crosswind condition all day, and no gusts were present at the time of the accident. He observed the PA-28 on approach for landing. The airplane was half- way down the runway and over the centerline, when he observed the nose of the airplane pitch up between 20 to 25 degrees, followed by an increase in engine power. The airplane appeared to turn to the left, the right wing dropped as if in a stall, and the right wing tip collided with the runway before the airplane disappeared from view behind the hangar.

The nearest weather reporting facility at the time of the accident was Crossville, Tennessee. The 1450 surface weather observation was: 3,500 scattered, visibility 10 miles, temperature 84 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point temperature 76 degrees Fahrenheit, wind from 290 degrees at 8 knots, and altimeter 30.07 inHg. There were no reported wind shear or gusts at the time of the accident.