On August 15, 1987, a Beech 35-33 (registration N608V) was involved in an aviation accident near Page, AZ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing in gusty crosswind conditions, which resulted in a sudden left roll, left wing contact with the runway, and nose gear collapse. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
Aircraft entered a sudden left roll just before touchdown on runway 15 due to gusty crosswinds, resulting in nose gear collapse and left wing contact with the pavement.
What happened
Upon arriving at the airport, the pilot entered the traffic pattern to land on runway 15. Conditions included a gusty crosswind from the right. The pilot reported that just before touchdown, the aircraft entered a sudden left roll. Subsequently, the left wing contacted the runway and the plane nosed down, collapsing the nose gear. At 1050 MST, the wind was reported to be from 200 degrees at 10 gusting 24 knots.
The investigation
No further mechanical examination details were provided in the source material.
Findings
The primary contributing factor was the gusty crosswind conditions during the final approach. The left wing contact with the runway and subsequent nose gear collapse were direct results of the uncontrolled left roll immediately prior to touchdown.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing in gusty crosswind conditions, which resulted in a sudden left roll, left wing contact with the runway, and nose gear collapse.
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