PA-32 Cherokee Six/Lance/Saratoga/6X
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 16; Flight Crew Total 173; Flight Crew Type 32
Training / Qualification
Ground Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control; Ground Excursion Runway; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control
Human Factors; Weather
It was a warm afternoon; windy out of the northwest (after landing I approximated the crosswind at 13 knots with winds around 350 at 20 knots). I was in a stable traffic pattern; turned onto final and had to crab the plane to line up with the runway due to the winds. I had a smooth landing on centerline at a higher than normal speed due to the gusting wind conditions; then the plane quickly veered off to the right; exiting the runway; and I was able to quickly stop it on the grass next to the runway. Tower inquired whether I needed a tow. The engine was running normally; there were no engine warning lights or unusual sounds so I requested and received permission to taxi back onto the runway and then exit off at the normal taxiway.I performed a thorough inspection of the aircraft afterwards and there was no damage to the aircraft or obvious wear changes to the tires. A mechanic examined the plane the next day and no obvious damage was noted. No damage to the airport environment was noted.The runway excursion was the result of a high crosswind and my delay in correcting for it.I was reminded of the importance and difficulty in maintaining crosswind correction during all phases of aircraft movement and was too slow to respond given the very windy conditions at the airport. I am unfamiliar with this airport and need more experience with this airport environment and its windy conditions. I plan on working with a local CFI to improve on these skills.
PA32 pilot reported loss of directional control in gusty crosswind conditions that resulted in a runway excursion.