Pilot Loses Control During Landing Due to Wind Gust (N4804E)

What happened

The pilot reported that the aircraft was in ground effect when a gust of wind struck the airplane, causing it to drift to the left. The pilot attempted to correct the drift but stated that he overreacted and subsequently lost control of the aircraft. At the time of the incident, the wind was from 150 degrees at 12 knots. The pilot was attempting to land on runway 14. During the loss of control, the airplane dragged its right wing and nosed down.

The investigation

The investigation focused on the pilot's account of the events leading to the loss of control. The pilot stated that he was in ground effect when a gust of wind hit the airplane and it started to drift to the left. He corrected but stated he over reacted and lost control. The pilot stated the wind was from 150 degrees at 12 knots. He was landing the airplane on runway 14. The airplane dragged its right wing and nosed down.

Findings

The primary factor in this accident was the pilot's loss of control during the landing phase. The pilot's overreaction to a wind gust while in ground effect led to the aircraft dragging its right wing and nosing down.