Narrative:

On approach; we experienced a 40-knot transition in airspeed just under 1;000 feet and I elected to go around. Approach speed was set for +20 knots per [procedure] and flaps 25. The entire low-level segment was turbulent. The tower at that time was calling winds 310/30 gust 38 for the approach. Once we were configured for the downwind; I had the third pilot check the runway alignment at our alternate. The runway there had worse alignment for crosswinds than [our destination]. On downwind we had approximately 14.0 on fuel. We elected to attempt another approach as we did not think we had enough fuel to get out of this weather pattern. This approach; the winds were about the same but we did not encounter the plus 20 minus 20 airspeed change. I continued the approach and at approximately 200 feet; I had the progress page 2 up and it showed a 27-knot crosswind. Before that; it had been between 27 and 32 knots. Landed the aircraft slightly left of centerline; speedbrakes were normal and all engines in reverse. Touchdown was fine; as we started approaching 90 to 100-knots the aircraft suddenly began veering to the right. Had full aileron in and left rudder maximum. Asked the first officer to help with the ailerons and rudder while applying left brake. Felt like the nose gear just skidded; transitioned to tiller but did not seem to make any difference and we departed the runway. Just after touchdown; the tower announced winds to another aircraft as 320/30 gust 45 and then said 'winds are all over the place'. We came to a stop in the grass between taxiways. The fire department had responded and we shut the airplane down while they approached and we were communicating with them on the radio. No injuries on aircraft. We elected not to emergency evacuate the aircraft. A scissor lift was brought out to the airplane for us to exit the aircraft. The wind was extremely strong; the operator was concerned that the lift may fall over. Once on the ground; the wind was variable and I would estimate well over 40 knots with higher gusts and appeared to be that strong the entire time we waited to exit. Maintenance did a preliminary exam of aircraft and nothing appeared to be damaged. We were told we took out one runway light. I believe we had experienced a high wind gust that pushed us nose right. [I] suggest not only cloud and ceiling be considered for suitable alternates but [also] high gusty winds. Need alternate out of the same weather pattern.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Air carrier flight crew reported a runway excursion occurred following loss of directional control while landing in a strong crosswind.

Narrative: On approach; we experienced a 40-knot transition in airspeed just under 1;000 feet and I elected to go around. Approach speed was set for +20 knots per [procedure] and flaps 25. The entire low-level segment was turbulent. The Tower at that time was calling winds 310/30 gust 38 for the approach. Once we were configured for the downwind; I had the third pilot check the runway alignment at our alternate. The runway there had worse alignment for crosswinds than [our destination]. On downwind we had approximately 14.0 on fuel. We elected to attempt another approach as we did not think we had enough fuel to get out of this weather pattern. This approach; the winds were about the same but we did not encounter the plus 20 minus 20 airspeed change. I continued the approach and at approximately 200 feet; I had the Progress page 2 up and it showed a 27-knot crosswind. Before that; it had been between 27 and 32 knots. Landed the aircraft slightly left of centerline; speedbrakes were normal and all engines in reverse. Touchdown was fine; as we started approaching 90 to 100-knots the aircraft suddenly began veering to the right. Had full aileron in and left rudder maximum. Asked the First Officer to help with the ailerons and rudder while applying left brake. Felt like the nose gear just skidded; transitioned to tiller but did not seem to make any difference and we departed the runway. Just after touchdown; the Tower announced winds to another aircraft as 320/30 gust 45 and then said 'winds are all over the place'. We came to a stop in the grass between taxiways. The fire department had responded and we shut the airplane down while they approached and we were communicating with them on the radio. No injuries on aircraft. We elected not to emergency evacuate the aircraft. A scissor lift was brought out to the airplane for us to exit the aircraft. The wind was extremely strong; the operator was concerned that the lift may fall over. Once on the ground; the wind was variable and I would estimate well over 40 knots with higher gusts and appeared to be that strong the entire time we waited to exit. Maintenance did a preliminary exam of aircraft and nothing appeared to be damaged. We were told we took out one runway light. I believe we had experienced a high wind gust that pushed us nose right. [I] suggest not only cloud and ceiling be considered for suitable alternates but [also] high gusty winds. Need alternate out of the same weather pattern.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site 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.