On May 29, 1988, a Beech B55 (registration N8567M) was involved in an aviation accident near Reno, NV. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's loss of control during the landing flare due to a wind gust while operating in crosswind conditions. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot lost control of the aircraft just prior to flare while attempting to land on Runway 25 with crosswinds from 290 degrees at 17 knots. A gust caused a hard landing on the right main gear, separating the strut, wheel, and door.
What happened
The pilot was conducting an approach and landing operation on Runway 25. At the time of the incident, wind conditions were reported from 290 degrees at a speed of 17 knots. Just prior to the flare phase of the landing, the aircraft encountered a gust of wind. This event caused the pilot to lose control of the aircraft, resulting in a hard landing on the right main gear.
Following the impact, the right strut, wheel, and wheel well door separated from the airframe. The aircraft then came to rest off the runway surface, located to the right of the paved area in the dirt.
Probable cause
The pilot's loss of control during the landing flare due to a wind gust while operating in crosswind conditions.