What happened
The pilot executed a deliberate maneuver during the final approach phase of flight. The objective was to avoid a specific hazard located on the private dirt strip runway. To bypass a hole in the surface, the pilot intentionally aimed the aircraft to touch down on the left side of the available landing area.
During the subsequent landing roll, the left wing of the aircraft made contact with a mesquite tree situated near the edge of the strip. This impact caused the airplane to yaw significantly, spinning approximately 45 degrees to the left. Following this rotation, the aircraft began to slide sideways across the ground. This lateral movement resulted in further structural damage, specifically affecting the right wing and causing the right landing gear to break.
The investigation
The examination of the event focused on the pilot's actions and the resulting physical damage to the airframe. The sequence of events was traced from the intentional off-center touchdown to the subsequent ground contact with vegetation and the final slide. The mechanical failures were directly linked to the lateral forces generated after the initial wing strike.
Findings
The primary factor in this incident was the pilot's decision to land on a private dirt strip with known surface irregularities. The intentional deviation from the centerline to avoid a hole led to the loss of directional control and subsequent impact with stationary objects. The damage sustained to the right wing and landing gear was a direct consequence of the sideways sliding motion following the initial left-wing contact.