Incident Details
A pilot flying a single-engine aircraft approached an airport with the intention of landing on Runway 16. The pilot had previously flown over the airport to check the wind, observing a lake adjacent to the runway with a slight ripple but no waves or whitecaps. The windsock indicated winds from approximately 170 to 180 degrees at 6 to 7 knots, about half-extended.
The landing approach was normal until the flare, when a gust of wind unexpectedly raised the right wing to about a 45-degree angle, nearly causing the left wing to contact the runway surface. The pilot initiated a go-around, but reported that the wind was pushing the aircraft to the left and that the aircraft was "behind the power curve." The pilot stated, "I think I touched [down] but am not sure."
Ultimately, the aircraft crashed through a barbed wire perimeter fence before coming to rest in the adjacent lake.
Witness Observations
Rescue personnel at the scene reported that near the time of the accident, winds were "kicking from the west" with short gusts of approximately 20 to 30 mph. They noted that in the general area, "gusts come out of nowhere on a moments notice."
Environmental Conditions
The density altitude at the airport was computed to be 8,000 feet above mean sea level.