Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll in a gusting crosswind.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot of the airplane reported that he was intending to perform a touch and go landing at his home airport. Weather reports around the time of the accident indicated a 13 knot direct crosswind with wind gusts up to 21 knots. The pilot stated that immediately after the left main landing gear touched the runway, the airplane started to drift to the left. The airplane exited the runway into the grass, the nose landing gear collapsed, and the left main landing gear separated from the airplane. The runway excursion resulted in the vertical stabilizer sustaining substantial damage. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.