Commander 112/A/B/TC
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 45; Flight Crew Total 4300; Flight Crew Type 3300
Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control; Ground Excursion Runway; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control
Aircraft; Human Factors
Upon landing in a crosswind and gust of 15 knots from around 310 degree directional control was temporarily compromised right after the touchdown. The maximum left rudder was applied but the direction was not adjusted enough to follow the straight line. The airplane veered to the right. Instead of applying heavy braking; due to a doubt of sufficient braking action; the airplane was directed to the unpaved area between the runway and taxiway. The airplane was slowed and stopped on the taxiway. After a short explanation was given to the tower the airplane was taxied to the fuel pump. Visual inspections gave no indication of any kind of damages to the airplane. After refueling; return flight was made normally. One possible contributor was the rudder trim; which was trimmed to the left during the flight and was not returned to the neutral position. During the landing; the rudder authority was not as good as expected although the crosswind component was within the limit specified in the operation manual. Secondary; the gust in the cross wind might have been exceeded the limit together with the steady component of the wind.
A Commander 112 pilot reported a runway excursion while landing in a crosswind.