Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while landing in gusting crosswind conditions, with resulted in a runway excursion and collision with a runway identifier sign.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that after conducting an instrument approach, the airplane descended out of the clouds at an altitude of about 800 feet above the ground and the pilot had a clear view of the runway. The pilot described that the descent was “uneventful though blustery.” During the subsequent landing, while the airplane was slow and in a nose up pitch attitude, he encountered a sudden wind gust and the airplane subsequently struck a runway identifier sign. The airplane’s left wing and fuselage were substantially damaged during the collision. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.