Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing with gusting wind.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that, following 2 aborted landings, he attempted a third landing. Shortly after the initial touch down, the airplane encountered a wind gust, which lifted the left wing. The pilot applied left aileron input and initiated a go-around; however, the right wing struck the runway, which rotated the airplane to the right. Subsequently, the airplane exited the runway surface, impacted a ditch, and nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported at the time of the accident, he was landing on runway 30, and the wind was from 240° at 8 knots, gusting to 17 knots.