What happened
The aircraft experienced damage to the left wingtip while attempting to land in crosswind conditions. According to the pilot's account, he was aware that the wind was gusty prior to takeoff but believed he had sufficient skill to manage the situation. During the landing phase, the pilot maintained a crabbed attitude to compensate for the wind drift. He reported that the wind momentarily ceased, prompting him to overcorrect his heading. Immediately following this adjustment, a new wind gust struck the aircraft, lifting the right wing and causing the left wingtip to strike runway 61.
Safety message
The pilot submitted a safety recommendation on NTSB Form 6120.1, suggesting that more cross wind experience for pilot would help prevent similar incidents. This highlights the critical need for pilots to recognize the limitations of their current proficiency when facing variable and gusty wind conditions.