Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Commercial
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 99; Flight Crew Total 3913; Flight Crew Type 3473
Distraction; Situational Awareness
Ground Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control; Ground Excursion Runway
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control
Human Factors; Weather
During the final landing phase the winds reported by ATIS prior to my landing were estimated at 100 degrees at 14 kts. During the flare I felt comfortable with the landing configuration and adjusted power to idle. While on ground effect I encountered a sudden strong mechanical thermal turbulence from the right side of the aircraft coming off the hangar structures that are in close proximity to the runway. The aircraft nose veered to the left; towards the grassy area located on the left side of the runway. The aircraft continued moving slowly on the grassy area. The engine power was on idle and no excessive braking action was applied. The aircraft slowly turned towards a taxiway and brought to a complete stop. Then I followed Tower instructions to continue to the ramp.I proceeded to park the aircraft and secure it down. Airport Rescue and Airport Supervisors showed up immediately next to the aircraft. Upon inspection of the aircraft; we observed no damage to the aircraft; the propeller; wings; empennage or airframe. No damage occurred to the airport property. There were no injuries and I was the only person on board of the aircraft. Contract maintenance personnel inspected the aircraft and reported that there was no damage to the aircraft.
C172 pilot reported a strong gust of turbulence from one side forced his plane to veer off the runway.