Flight and Approach
The pilot conducted an uneventful 50-minute cross-country flight before entering the landing pattern. The windsock at the airport indicated winds from 190 degrees at 10 to 15 knots. The pilot flew a normal downwind, base, and final approach, selecting half flaps on base and full flaps on final.
Loss of Directional Control
Approximately 160 yards down the runway, as the aircraft was about to touch down, it began to veer to the left. The pilot attempted to regain directional control by applying right rudder and adding power. However, a gust of wind lifted the right wing to a 20-degree bank, causing the aircraft to turn further left and align the nose toward nearby treetops.
Impact and Final Position
The aircraft subsequently struck the trees and settled to the ground in an upright, nose-low attitude. The pilot reported that winds at the accident site were from 190 degrees at 12 knots, gusting to 15 knots. Official winds reported from a station 28 miles east were 190 degrees at 16 knots, gusting to 25 knots. Inspection confirmed that the windsock was functioning properly.
Wind Conditions
The observed winds at the airport and at the accident site were consistent with the reported conditions. No further details about the aircraft or occupants were provided.