PA-32 Cherokee Six/Lance/Saratoga/6X
Flight Crew Private; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 1.3; Flight Crew Total 254.5; Flight Crew Type 14.7
Situational Awareness; Training / Qualification; Workload
Ground Excursion Runway; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence; Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Weather; Procedure; Human Factors
I took off to do a single refresher pattern in a Cherokee Six. The wind was about 10 gusting to 14-16; 20-30 degrees off the runway (to the left). On final approach I experienced gusts and bumps until reaching around 300 AGL; at which point the wind calmed. The approach proceeded normally until right before touchdown; when there was a strong gust from the left and the nose kicked into the wind. I immediately applied power but was unable to regain control of the airplane. One wheel departed the runway to the left. The plane then responded to my rudder overcorrection and kicked back to the right. I went off the right side of the runway; and through the grass. At this point I cut off the power and the mixture. The plane came to rest in a patch of mud about 200 FT off the right side of the runway.I was landing on Runway 01; and during my downwind leg the AWOS reported the winds as 330 at 10 gusts 15. I felt comfortable and in control during takeoff; pattern; and approach. It was only during the flare that I felt the plane was getting away from me. Nobody was injured and there did not appear to be significant damage to the airplane. The most likely human factor that contributed to the incident was my lack of recent experience. I had recently had an annual review in a C172; and before that I had not flown in about six months. I should have flown in the plane with an instructor before flying solo PIC.
A PA-32 pilot lost control of his aircraft in the flare after a wind gust moved the aircraft and; unable to regain control; the aircraft departed the runway stopping in a mud flat without damage or injury. The pilot had not flown for six months and his previous review was in a C-172.