Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s loss of directional control during landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that the wind was light. However, upon landing, there was more of a crosswind than he had anticipated. He applied a rudder control input to compensate but, ultimately, lost directional control. The airplane departed the runway near midfield, and the nose landing gear collapsed upon encountering the adjacent taxiway. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions preceding the accident. Postrecovery examination revealed that the nose wheel axle support was twisted and fractured, the nose gear retract rod was deformed near midspan, and the fuselage keel structure was deformed. The current surface weather observation revealed that a right 80° crosswind existed about the time of the accident landing.