Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the crosswind landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that during the landing roll, as the nose landing gear contacted the runway, he felt a vibration from the front of the airplane, then it veered hard left. During the veer, the airplane began to skid so he applied right rudder but was unable to maintain directional control. The airplane departed the runway surface, the nose landing gear collapsed, and the right wing impacted terrain, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing. At the time of the accident, the pilot was landing the airplane with 20° left crosswind at 7 knots gusting to 16 knots. Postaccident examination of the airplane showed that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions of failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.