Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing in variable wind conditions, which resulted in runway excursion and collision with an approach light.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported flying the airplane around the airport traffic pattern to warm up the engine prior to an engine oil filter change. During the landing roll of his second full stop landing, the pilot described that the wind abruptly changed direction and speed and he lost directional control of the airplane. Unable to initiate corrective maneuvers in time, the airplane veered off the left side of the runway into the grass, where it subsequently struck an precision approach path indicator light resulting in substantial damage to the airplane’s right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.