Narrative:

This event occurred as I was practicing touch and goes on runway 8. My first five takeoffs and landings were uneventful and this landing was to be the last one for the day. I was on downwind for runway 8. Tower advised I was cleared to land following a jet (challenger) departing from the same runway. I acknowledged clearance to land and advised tower I would extend the downwind to allow for greater spacing. Winds were 120 at 10 KTS; gusting to 18. The final approach was stabilized and I was tracking the centerline using deflections of left rudder and right aileron. I also had added half the wind gust to my airspeed; resulting in a slightly faster than normal approach. Immediately prior to or upon touchdown of the right main; a strong gust caused the plane to turn to the right while lifting it back into the air. Touchdown on this occasion was right to left in quick succession; but with the aircraft in a crab. I applied brakes and attempted to bring aircraft back to the left using strong pressure on left rudder and brake and slightly less on the right brake; but feared a sharp turn at this speed would possibly result in the right wing tipping and a subsequent wing strike. Moreover; I feared that extreme pressure on the brakes would lock the wheels; possibly causing a tire blowout. I was; however; able to slow the aircraft significantly but left the runway on the right side; navigating between runway lights and brought the plane to a controlled stop approximately eight feet onto the grass. At this time I was in contact with the tower; and the controller asked if I needed assistance. I advised assistance was not needed. Tower then cleared me to re-enter runway 8 and taxi to the ramp which I did without incident. There were no injuries or damage to the aircraft. Upon arrival at the FBO I briefed personnel on the incident and a thorough inspection of the aircraft was completed which confirmed there was no damage. The cause of incident was my failure to maintain control on a crosswind landing. In retrospect; I should have better anticipated the gust from the right and used stronger left rudder and right aileron; second; I should have initiated a full power go around immediately at the first indication of wind change.I will complete additional crosswind takeoff and landing training with my instructor.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: An inexperienced C-172 pilot lost control of his aircraft and ran off the side of the runway; without damage; while landing in a gusty crosswind.

Narrative: This event occurred as I was practicing touch and goes on Runway 8. My first five takeoffs and landings were uneventful and this landing was to be the last one for the day. I was on downwind for Runway 8. Tower advised I was cleared to land following a jet (Challenger) departing from the same runway. I acknowledged clearance to land and advised tower I would extend the downwind to allow for greater spacing. Winds were 120 at 10 KTS; gusting to 18. The final approach was stabilized and I was tracking the centerline using deflections of left rudder and right aileron. I also had added half the wind gust to my airspeed; resulting in a slightly faster than normal approach. Immediately prior to or upon touchdown of the right main; a strong gust caused the plane to turn to the right while lifting it back into the air. Touchdown on this occasion was right to left in quick succession; but with the aircraft in a crab. I applied brakes and attempted to bring aircraft back to the left using strong pressure on left rudder and brake and slightly less on the right brake; but feared a sharp turn at this speed would possibly result in the right wing tipping and a subsequent wing strike. Moreover; I feared that extreme pressure on the brakes would lock the wheels; possibly causing a tire blowout. I was; however; able to slow the aircraft significantly but left the runway on the right side; navigating between runway lights and brought the plane to a controlled stop approximately eight feet onto the grass. At this time I was in contact with the Tower; and the Controller asked if I needed assistance. I advised assistance was not needed. Tower then cleared me to re-enter Runway 8 and taxi to the ramp which I did without incident. There were no injuries or damage to the aircraft. Upon arrival at the FBO I briefed personnel on the incident and a thorough inspection of the aircraft was completed which confirmed there was no damage. The cause of incident was my failure to maintain control on a crosswind landing. In retrospect; I should have better anticipated the gust from the right and used stronger left rudder and right aileron; second; I should have initiated a full power go around immediately at the first indication of wind change.I will complete additional crosswind takeoff and landing training with my instructor.

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.