What happened
The pilot was conducting an approach to runway 36 at a sod airfield. During the final phase of the approach, while the aircraft was approximately at treetop altitude, a sudden gust of wind lifted the left wing. This aerodynamic disturbance caused the aircraft to drift to the right of the runway centerline.
As the aircraft drifted off course, the right wing struck a play house located near the airfield. Shortly thereafter, the left wing impacted a metal storage building. The pilot reported that the wind conditions at the time were from 280 degrees at 8 knots, with gusts reaching 15 knots.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the pilot's report of the weather conditions and the sequence of impacts. No mechanical failure was identified as a contributing factor. The primary issue was the loss of lateral control due to wind shear during the critical approach phase.
Findings
The aircraft suffered damage to both wings from striking stationary objects. The incident highlights the risks associated with crosswind components and gusty conditions during low-altitude operations on unimproved surfaces.