NTSB Factual Report

On July 15, 2002, about 1700 mountain standard time, a Beech S35, N864T, veered off the left side of the runway at St. Johns Industrial Airpark, St. Johns, Arizona. The airplane's wing contacted the runway's surface and sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot and three passengers were not injured. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot as a personal flight under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rules flight plan had been filed. The flight originated from the Shepard Air Force Base, Wichita Falls, Texas, about 1300.

The pilot verbally reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that she had flown over the St. Johns Industrial Airpark and observed its windsock. In addition, she had received the automated weather information before landing. The pilot did not report that anything unusual occurred during the final approach. However, after touching down on runway 21, an unexpected gust of wind was encountered that raised the airplane's right wing. Then, the left wing impacted the ground. The airplane veered off the left side of the runway and rolled into the dirt. According to the pilot, seconds later she regained control of the airplane and redirected it back onto the runway.

The pilot subsequently reported that her difficulty controlling the airplane resulted from encountering the wind gust. At 1655, the St. Johns local weather report indicated that the wind was from 300 degrees. Its speed was 4 knots. There were no reports of gusts.

The pilot was issued a private pilot certificate on October 12, 2001. Her total flight time was about 214 hours. The pilot's total experience flying the model of accident airplane was about 100 hours.

No completed National Transportation Safety Board "Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report" form 6120.1/2 was received from the pilot.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control following an encounter with a wind gust.