Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot did not maintain directional control during the landing flare.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot was landing the airplane on runway 12. The automated weather observing system recorded that the wind was from 170 degrees at 6 knots. The pilot stated that, while in the landing flare, the wind pushed the tail of the airplane to the left; he corrected with left rudder and power to align the airplane with the runway. The airplane continued to veer to the right, went off the right side of the runway, and nosed over in the soft ground. Damage included wrinkled wing skin and a buckled left lift strut.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot was landing the airplane on runway 12. The automated weather observing system (AWOS) recorded that the wind was from 170 degrees at 6 knots. While in the landing flare the pilot stated that the wind pushed the tail of the airplane to the left; he corrected with left rudder and power to align the airplane with the runway. The airplane continued to veer to the right, went off the right side of the runway, and nosed over in the soft ground. Damage included wrinkled wing skin, and buckled left lift strut.