Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a collision with a ditch and the left main landing gear collapsing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
According to the pilot, he performed an off-airport landing to a wheat field. During the landing roll, the left main landing gear encountered a ditch about midfield and collapsed, and the left wing struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left-wing lift strut. The pilot reported that "Further care should have been conducted in evaluating the LZ (Landing Zone)." The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Source record
Factual narrative
According to the pilot, he performed an off-airport landing to a wheat field. During the landing roll, the left main landing gear encountered a ditch about midfield. The left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing lift strut. The pilot reported that, "Further care should have been conducted in evaluating the LZ (Landing Zone)." The pilot reported that about the time of the accident, the wind was from the north at 10 knots and he that he landed the airplane into the wind.