Student Pilot Loses Control During Landing Flare Due to Wind Shift (N733CK)

What happened

The incident occurred while the aircraft was in the final stages of approach, specifically during the landing flare. At this critical moment, the wind conditions changed abruptly, shifting from a left tailwind to a right tailwind. The pilot reported that the airspeed over the wing increased dramatically, tripling in velocity almost instantaneously. This sudden aerodynamic change caused the right wing to lift to an extreme angle. Unable to maintain control, the airplane veered off the left side of the runway and descended down a steep slope. The aircraft then cartwheeled across the terrain before coming to a final rest in a nose-down position.

Findings

The primary factor contributing to the accident was the sudden shift in wind direction during the landing flare. This change altered the airflow over the wings, leading to an unexpected and rapid increase in wing velocity. The resulting aerodynamic forces threw the right wing upward at a radical angle, causing the pilot to lose control of the aircraft's lateral attitude. The subsequent departure from the runway and descent down the slope resulted in substantial damage to the airplane.