Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing rollout with a gusting crosswind that resulted in the airplane nosing over and impacting on the runway.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot of the personal flight reported that he planned on practicing takeoffs and landings at the departure airport; however, once airborne, the winds began gusting. During the first landing, the airplane touched down on the runway with a gusting crosswind. Due to the crosswind, he was unable to maintain directional control during the landing rollout, and the airplane skidded to the left and nosed over on the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, the airplane was landing on runway 07 with wind 341o at 15 knots with gusts over 20 knots.