ERA20CA048

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing with a gusting crosswind, which resulted in a runway excursion and the left wing impacting grass.

The pilot reported that, while landing, the airplane encountered a crosswind gust and drifted left. At touchdown, a second gust lifted the right wing, the airplane drifted off the runway centerline, and the left wing impacted grass. The pilot added power; however, the left wing continued to drag in the grass, the airplane exited the runway, and the landing gear collapsed. Both wings sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The pilot reported that, while landing, the airplane encountered a crosswind gust and drifted left. At touchdown, a second gust lifted the right wing, the airplane drifted off the runway centerline, and the left wing impacted grass. The pilot added power; however, the left wing continued to drag in the grass, the airplane exited the runway, and the landing gear collapsed. Examination of the wings revealed substantial damage due to delamination of both wing spars. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 260° at 20 kts with gusts to 28 kts. The pilot was landing the airplane on runway 19, which resulted in a crosswind component of 19 kts gusting to 26 kts. The manufacturer's pilot's operating handbook stated, "The maximum allowable crosswind velocity is dependent upon pilot capability as well as aircraft limitations. Operation in direct crosswinds of 20 knots has been demonstrated."