What happened
The incident occurred during a landing operation in windy conditions. The pilot was conducting an approach into a crosswind environment when the aircraft departed the paved surface of the runway. Specifically, the aircraft veered off the left side of the runway and made contact with a windsock tower using its left wing.
According to the pilot's report, the airspeed on final approach was higher than optimal. To counteract the crosswind component, the pilot applied significant correction inputs. The local weather conditions at the time included winds from 250 degrees at 10 knots, with gusts reaching 15 knots.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the pilot's account of the flight dynamics during the final phase of the approach. Key factors identified included the management of airspeed and the application of crosswind correction techniques. The mechanical condition of the aircraft was not cited as a primary factor in the departure from the runway.
Findings
Contributing factors to this accident include:
- Excessive airspeed on final approach
- Overcompensation for crosswind conditions during landing
- Contact with a windsock tower due to lateral deviation
The pilot's handling of the aircraft during the critical landing phase, combined with the gusty wind environment, resulted in the loss of directional control and subsequent impact with ground infrastructure.