LAX06CA159

Factual narrative

The airplane veered off the runway and collided with terrain. The pilot received the Automated Weather Observing Station (AWOS) information for the destination airport while en route on the 141 nautical mile cross-country flight. As he entered the proximity of the airport, he observed other airplanes in the traffic pattern utilizing runway 17. He completed a normal approach and touched down on the runway surface. After a short ground roll the left wing lifted and the airplane began to veer from the runway centerline. The pilot attempted to rectify the heading deviation with use of the aileron and rudder controls. Despite his attempts the airplane departed the right side of the runway, coming to rest in a ditch. The airplane incurred damage to the right wing spar and firewall. The pilot estimated the winds to be from 160 degrees at 8 knots. An airplane mechanic inspected the wreckage after the accident. He noted no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. The Airport Facility Directory Southwest (AFD/SW) contained the following entry in the "Airport Remarks" section for the destination airport: "Varying wind directions and velocity may be encountered at mid point of runway 17-35 due to terrain features and wind flow patterns." The pilot indicated that he had reviewed the AFD comments prior to departing for the accident flight. The airplane veered off the runway surface and collided with terrain. The pilot completed a normal approach and touched down on the runway surface. After a short ground roll the left wing lifted and the airplane began to veer from the runway centerline. The pilot attempted to rectify the heading deviation with use of the aileron and rudder controls. Despite his attempts, the airplane departed the right side of the runway, coming to rest in a ditch. The pilot estimated the winds to be from 160 degrees at 8 knots. An airplane mechanic inspected the wreckage after the accident. He noted no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12