Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents

On June 2, 1995, at 1446 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 182K, N2788Q, went off the side of the runway during landing roll at Alamosa, Colorado. The two occupants were not injured and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for this personal flight and a VFR flight plan was filed. The flight had departed Las Cruces, New Mexico, at 1215.

According to the pilot, he landed with a 20 degree crosswind at 22 knots with gusts to 25 knots and drifted to the right during the landing roll. As the aircraft departed the right side of the runway it struck a non frangible taxiway sign.

The ninety degree crosswind component was 12 knots. This crosswind component is within the demonstrated crosswind capability as listed in the aircraft operating manual. FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLL, WHICH RESULTED IN A GROUND SWERVE AND COLLISION WITH A TAXIWAY SIGN. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE UNFAVORABLE (GUSTY/QUARTERING) WIND CONDITION, AND THE TAXIWAY SIGN'S LACK OF FRANGIBILITY.