Narrative:

Conditions: clear; good visibility; winds 260 at 8 KTS gusting to 17. Gusts/winds were moving direction and about 30 minutes after mishap tower changed to crosswind runway. Final approach runway 23; 20 degrees flaps and 8 KTS over approach speed due to wind and gusts. [I] landed with crosswind consideration to deal with right crosswind. A bit bumpy (side to side) on final. Touched down wing low wheel (right) and at or just before; left wheel touched plane weathervane hard to right - about 45 degrees plus to runway. Plane skidded down runway as well as more right in direction of wheels; at that point given direction of wheels [and] at that point given direction falling and location that point given direction facing and location of aircraft on runway. I felt safer taxing smoothly and safely by direction of plane facing which was over short grass safety error and to taxiway M. After review and discussions with authorities [I] taxied plane back to appropriate ramp area. One taxiway light was broken; no injuries; no apparent damage to plane after full external inspection by PIC; airport operations and airport authorities. Plane will be reviewed/inspected by mechanic. I believe strong gusts right at touchdown caused severe weathervane to right and as a result the plane moved quickly to right side of runway (on wheels). As to prevention-perhaps more in depth crosswind training will help. Include better pilot assessment of arrival conditions (windsock) not just ATIS-before landing. Also insist on different runway if; in PIC's determination it is warranted.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A C172 pilot landed in a gusty crosswind and after the aircraft weathervaned exited the runway; crossed a grassy area onto a taxiway without aircraft damage and only a taxiway light broken.

Narrative: Conditions: Clear; good visibility; winds 260 at 8 KTS gusting to 17. Gusts/winds were moving direction and about 30 minutes after mishap Tower changed to crosswind runway. Final approach Runway 23; 20 degrees flaps and 8 KTS over approach speed due to wind and gusts. [I] landed with crosswind consideration to deal with right crosswind. A bit bumpy (side to side) on final. Touched down wing low wheel (right) and at or just before; left wheel touched plane weathervane hard to right - about 45 degrees plus to runway. Plane skidded down runway as well as more right in direction of wheels; at that point given direction of wheels [and] at that point given direction falling and location that point given direction facing and location of aircraft on runway. I felt safer taxing smoothly and safely by direction of plane facing which was over short grass safety error and to Taxiway M. After review and discussions with authorities [I] taxied plane back to appropriate ramp area. One taxiway light was broken; no injuries; no apparent damage to plane after full external inspection by PIC; airport operations and Airport Authorities. Plane will be reviewed/inspected by mechanic. I believe strong gusts right at touchdown caused severe weathervane to right and as a result the plane moved quickly to right side of runway (on wheels). As to prevention-perhaps more in depth crosswind training will help. Include better pilot assessment of arrival conditions (windsock) not just ATIS-before landing. Also insist on different runway if; in PIC's determination it is warranted.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.