What happened
The pilot reported that the initial approach and touchdown were conducted normally. However, during the rollout phase on the runway, the aircraft began to weather vane, indicating a loss of directional control. At this point, the pilot heard a distinct chattering noise coming from the airframe or landing gear assembly. The aircraft subsequently skipped sideways off the paved surface and came to rest in the adjacent mud. Environmental conditions at the time included winds gusting up to 32 knots.
The investigation
Post-accident analysis focused on the pilot's account of the event. The primary mechanical indicator was the chattering noise reported during the loss of control. The departure from the runway surface into the mud suggests significant lateral forces were acting on the aircraft after it left the pavement.
Findings
The pilot acknowledged that he was overconfident in his ability to manage a very strong crosswind condition. He noted that he should have selected Runway 4 for landing, which would have provided a more favorable wind component. The gusting winds were identified as a significant contributing factor to the loss of directional control during rollout.