Nasty Crosswind Landing

I went flying last week Friday. Nothing funny there.

Then a storm happened. I was turning final and ready to land when I was told to Go Around as there was a vehicle on the ground doing safety inspections on the runway.

No problem. Go around.

All this time I am keeping an eye on the storm to the south of the airport, hoping against hope that it will give me time to land before it hits the airport.

I turn base. All is well.

I turn final. ATC announces “The storm has just hit. Surface wind 240 Gusting 35 Knots.”

That’s bad.

I’m lined up for runway 29. That means the wind is coming from the left. Almost 90 degrees from the left. And 35 knots gusting is strong.

The Piper I am flying has a 10 knot crosswind limit.

But I need to land. The storm will keep me in the air for another hour and a half, and I am running out of daylight. Not good, especially if you do not have a night rating.

“JTO. You may go around and rejoin at a later stage if required.”

Nice. But no.

“Tower. JTO. For a full stop please.”

“Copy full stop. Clear to land runway 29. Surface wind 240 gusting 35 knots.”

Deep breath.

Crabbing works like this; You fly semi into the wind, lining your approach up with the runway. Ailerons controls drift, rudder controls direction. I’ve never landed in a strong crosswind like this. Especially one that is not constant. But I bring it in. As I come in I notice a funny phenomenon. The crosswind is so strong, I cannot get the plane lined up with the runway. If I turn any more to the left, I will be flying into the wind, and not closer to the runway.

Bummer.

Wait a second!!! Throttle!!! I have a very long runway to play with. If I slightly overshoot the threshold… no biggy.

More power and she starts lining up.

Now for the easy part. Down to the runway, and at the last moment ailerons into the wind and opposite rudder. No problem.

It’s funny how the repetition of training kicks in when you need it most. I slightly overshoot the threshold but put her down and evacuate the runway well before the halfway mark.

ATC: “JTO. Nice landing. Evacuate Charlie. Hold short Bravo.”

“Nice landing…” I smile.

I had to sit short of Bravo for a second or two just to catch my breath. That was epic!! Do I want to do it again? Not if I can help it. But, at least, now I know I can.

It’s difficult to explain how a severe crosswind landing looks and feels like, but the following video has some nice examples. Enjoy.