What happened
The pilot was operating an aircraft during the landing phase under challenging weather conditions characterized by gusty crosswinds. While approaching the airport, the pilot reported that the wind appeared to diminish and shift to a direct headwind while on final approach. However, during the critical flare maneuver for landing, a sudden wind gust displaced the airplane away from the runway centerline.
In response to this deviation, the pilot initiated a go-around procedure. Despite these efforts, the pilot was unable to maintain control of the aircraft. The airplane subsequently impacted the ground alongside the runway, resulting in significant damage to the airframe.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the operational circumstances surrounding the landing attempt. Key factors identified included the variable wind conditions and the pilot's reaction to the displacement during the flare. The term 'pancaked' was used to describe the nature of the impact with the ground.
Findings
The primary contributing factor to this accident was the loss of control during the go-around maneuver. This occurred in gusty crosswind conditions where the wind direction and speed changed unexpectedly near the runway. The pilot's inability to correct the aircraft's position after the gust displaced it from the runway led directly to the ground impact.