NTSB Factual Report

On January 21, 2002, at 1615 central standard time, a Piper PA-22-160, N9248D, operated by a private pilot, collided with the terrain following a loss of control while landing on runway 31 (4,001 feet by 75 feet, dry asphalt) at the Iowa Falls Municipal Airport (IFA), Iowa Falls, Iowa. The pilot was not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was being operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight originated at Dubuque, Iowa, at 1430 central standard time.

The pilot reported that he checked the weather for the area surrounding IFA prior to the flight and again while en route. He reported that the winds at Waterloo, 46 miles east, were from 240 degrees at 11 knots. The pilot reported that upon reaching IFA, he flew over the airport and confirmed the winds were as he expected. He reported that he knew he was going to have a crosswind, so he lowered the left wing and applied right rudder during the approach. The pilot reported that the airplane bounced during the landing and "...since I was not expecting that I did not react quickly enough by once again lowering the wing." He reported the wind lifted the left wing so that the airplane was on the right main gear only. He reported that it seemed the airplane was going to ground loop and he applied right rudder to stop the ground loop, but by this time the airplane was off the side of the runway. The airplane traveled into a plowed bean field where it nosed over and tipped onto the right wing.

Inspection of the airplane revealed the nose gear was collapsed, the propeller struck the ground, and buckling was present between the wings.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition and the subsequent failure to maintain control of the airplane. Factors associated with the accident were the crosswind and the rough terrain encountered.