What happened
The pilot was conducting a soft field landing operation under gusty wind conditions. While attempting to maintain directional control and compensate for the crosswind, the pilot applied rudder controls too abruptly. This sudden input caused the airplane to begin skidding sideways toward the right.
As the skid continued, the left main landing gear struck the ground. The impact forced the aircraft to roll over onto its back, resulting in a substantial accident.
The investigation
Post-acc examination confirmed that the left landing gear was the initial point of contact with the surface during the rollover sequence. The mechanical failure was consistent with the forces generated by the skid rather than pre-existing mechanical defects.
Findings
The primary factor in this accident was the pilot's handling of the aircraft during the final phase of flight. Specifically, the abrupt use of rudder controls while attempting to counteract gusty wind conditions led to a loss of directional control and a ground loop or skid event.