PA-28 Cherokee/Archer/Dakota/Pillan/Warrior
Flight Crew Student
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 6; Flight Crew Total 53
Training / Qualification
Ground Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control; Ground Excursion Runway
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged
Human Factors; Weather
Pilot had just completed a touch and go and entered right traffic [for another landing]. The winds were reported 250 at 7 kts. The approach was stable and crosswind correction technique (right wing down and left rudder) was used a couple hundred feet above the ground to align the longitudinal axis with the runway. The aircraft longitudinal axis remained aligned with the runway centerline through flare and touchdown; but after touchdown the aircraft started to yaw to the right. Pilot is unsure if the aircraft became momentarily airborne. Pilot momentarily considered attempting a go around and applied full power; but immediately changed mind and pulled power back to idle as the aircraft was already at the edge of the runway. Aircraft departed the right side of the runway and spun 180 degrees in the grass with the nose pointing north. The aircraft engine was shut down and Tower was informed of the excursion. The pilot was not injured and the aircraft appeared to have only minor damage to the nose landing gear. The propeller and wings did not strike the ground. Initial inspection showed that the nose landing gear fork was bent and the nose wheel fairing was cracked. Upon review/discussion of the situation with my flight instructor a couple hours after the incident we concluded the following items could have potentially contributed to the runway excursion:- Potential excessive speed in the round out leading to either bouncing/floating or the nose coming off the ground and the airplane weather vaning into the wind without appropriate left rudder being applied as needed. - Potentially removing crosswind correction (left rudder) upon landing- Potentially did not apply additionally needed left rudder crosswind correction due to a gusting windPotential Learning Points: - The ATIS reported crosswinds were below what had been previously practiced; but crosswinds had not been specifically practiced in almost 5 months. - Request winds from Tower in case they have changed from ATIS reported winds.- Anticipate the need to continue flying the airplane after touchdown.
PA-28 pilot reported loss of directional control on landing roll that resulted in a runway excursion.