Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to compensate for a wind gust and maintain runway alignment during final approach to land, which resulted in an in-flight collision with a tree.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot stated that he was landing the airplane on a turf airstrip at a private airport with a crosswind of about 7 to 12 knots. During the landing approach, about 20 feet above the airstrip, the airplane encountered a gust of wind. As a result, the airplane drifted to the edge of runway and the right wing impacted a tree. The airplane subsequently descended to the ground and came to rest with the right wing no longer attached to the fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot was landing the airplane to the east at a private airport. The turf runway was 2,600 feet long and 75 feet wide. The pilot indicated that the wind was from the north, and during the landing approach, the airplane encountered a gust that blew the airplane to the southern edge of the runway. The right wing then impacted a tree and the airplane collided with the ground. The pilot had 126 hours total time, and 3 hours in the accident airplane make and model. No mechanical anomalies were reported.