Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during landing with a gusting crosswind that resulted in an aerodynamic stall and a hard impact on the runway.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that during his second attempt at practicing a crosswind landing, he encountered an increased crosswind, shear, and gust. To prevent the airplane from drifting off the side of the runway, he lowered the right wing into the wind when the airplane was about 4-5 ft. above the runway. The airplane then stalled and landed hard on the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, the pilot was taking off on runway 11 with wind 170o at 12 knots with gusts to 18 knots.
Source record
Factual narrative
The private pilot of the personal flight stated that during his second attempt at practicing a crosswind takeoff and landing, he encountered an increased crosswind/gust. To prevent the airplane from drifting off the side of the runway, he lowered the right wing into the wind when the airplane was about 4-5 ft. above the runway. The airplane then stalled and experienced a hard landing on the runway that resulted in substantial damage to right wing. The pilot stated there was no mechanical malfunction/failure of the airplane.