Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing with a crosswind.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that while he started to flare for landing, the airplane encountered a gust of wind from the left, which he counteracted by lowering the left wing. Shortly after, the left main landing gear contacted the runway, and the airplane abruptly veered to the left. Subsequently, the airplane exited the runway, and the right main landing gear collapsed, which resulted in in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preexisting mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, the pilot was landing on runway 22, with wind from 150° at 8 knots, gusting to 12 knots.