NTSB Factual Report

On July 4, 2004, about 1700 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N10DJ, was substantially damaged during landing at Grand Canyon Airport (N38), Wellsboro, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the airplane was not operating on a flight plan. The personal flight, which departed Cherry Springs Airport (5G6), Galeton, Pennsylvania, at 1650, for Flying W Airport (N14), Lumberton, New Jersey, was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to a written statement submitted by the pilot, he obtained several weather briefings prior to departing from Cherry Springs. While en route, the weather began to deteriorate, so the pilot elected to land at Grand Canyon Airport. Prior to landing, the pilot circled the field to view the windsock and also spoke to another pilot on the radio regarding the wind speed and direction. The pilot entered the traffic pattern and executed a landing on runway 28. Due to the crosswind, he elected not to use full flaps. Upon touchdown, the pilot applied the brakes; however, "the crosswind picked up and ushered [the airplane] off the side of the runway." The airplane continued to slow on the grass strip adjacent the right side and parallel to the runway, then impacted an "unavoidable" bail of hay, and came to a stop. The pilot did not report any mechanical abnormalities with the airplane.

The weather reported at Wellsville Municipal Airport (ELZ), Wellsville, New York, about 35 nautical miles northwest, at 1710, included winds from 160 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 25 knots, 8 statute miles visibility, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, broken clouds at 3,300 feet, broken clouds at 4,100 feet, temperature 75 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 66 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure of 29.86 inches of mercury.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and his failure to maintain directional control. A factor was the crosswind.