Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control after landing in gusting wind conditions which resulted in a runway excursion and the airplane nosing over. Contributing was the pilot’s decision to conduct the flight in very strong, gusting wind conditions.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that during the landing roll and as he was preparing to turn onto a taxiway, they encountered a gust of wind. The airplane departed the left side of the runway and nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage, left and right wings, and the vertical stabilizer and rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, the airplane had landed on runway 17 with recorded wind of 030o at 21 knots, gusting to 44 knots.