Approach and Landing
The pilot conducted an approach to runway 18 with the right wing low. The aircraft landed on the right main gear. Following the touchdown of the right tire, the right wing rose and the aircraft veered to the left.
Runway Excursion
The aircraft departed the left side of the runway and collided with a row of very large rocks positioned alongside the runway. The impact caused the main landing gear to collapse. Subsequently, the aircraft slid into an 8-foot rocky drop-off.
Pilot's Statement
The pilot reported that he did not possess sufficient airspeed to execute a go-around, and therefore chose to allow the aircraft to continue off the runway.
Crosswind Conditions
The tower informed the pilot that the surface wind was from 230 degrees at 15 knots, with gusts to 25 knots. The pilot operating handbook for the aircraft specifies a maximum demonstrated crosswind component of 17 knots. Given that limitation, the computed maximum allowable component for a 50-degree crosswind was 19.15 knots.