Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control while landing in a gusting crosswind condition.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot was conducting a crosswind landing when shortly before touchdown the airplane drifted left of the runway centerline. The airplane bounced and continued to drift left into the grass easement adjacent to the runway where the nose gear collapsed. The airplane then nosed over and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer, rudder, right wing strut, and left wing. Based on available wind data, there was a gusting right crosswind of 10-15 knots. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.