Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that during the approach the airplane experienced a constant crosswind from the left. As the airplane entered the landing flare, it encountered turbulence that the pilot believed was created by the hangars alongside the runway. The airplane touched down with the left wing low and, during the rollout, the wind picked up the left wing. The pilot applied brakes and the airplane weathervaned into the wind. Subsequently, the right wing, right elevator and right horizontal stabilizer struck the ground resulting in substantial damage. The wind was reported to be from 320 degrees at 13 knots gusting to 17 knots at the time of the accident. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal flight.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot reported that during the approach, the airplane experienced a constant crosswind from the left. As the airplane entered the landing flare, it encountered turbulence which the pilot believed was created by the hangars alongside the runway. The airplane touched down with the left wing low and during the roll out, the wind picked up the left wing. The pilot applied brakes and the airplane weather vaned into the wind. Subsequently, the right wing, right elevator and right horizontal stabilizer struck the ground resulting in substantial damage. At the time of the accident, the wind was reported from 320 degrees at 13 knots gusting to 17 knots. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal flight.