Incident Overview
A pilot reported an uneventful flight until the final approach to landing on runway 08 at Mackinac Island, Michigan, Airport (MCD). Over the threshold, the left wing of the airplane rose to approximately 35-40 degrees. The pilot managed to stabilize the aircraft just prior to touchdown. The initial landing was hard, and the airplane porpoised before a second touchdown. Subsequently, the airplane veered to the left, continued onto the grassy area on the left side of the runway, and the nose gear collapsed.
Pilot Account
The pilot stated that the flight was uneventful until the final approach. He described the left wing rising sharply and his efforts to stabilize the aircraft. After the hard landing and porpoising, the airplane veered left off the runway. Following the accident, the pilot observed a large American flag south of the runway standing straight out in a north-to-south direction, indicating a crosswind.
Weather Conditions
Weather reports near the time of the accident were obtained. At the airport, winds were reported as 3-4 knots from the north. Nine minutes prior to the accident, the automated weather observation system at MCD reported clear skies, 10 miles visibility, wind from 360 degrees at 6 knots, temperature 65°F, dew point 35°F, and altimeter 30.27 inches of Mercury. Six minutes prior, the Automated Surface Observation System at Alpina, Michigan (66 miles from MCD at 140 degrees), reported clear skies, 10 miles visibility, wind from 320 degrees at 11 knots with gusts to 18 knots, temperature 65°F, dew point 37°F, and altimeter 30.26 inches of Mercury. The Airport/Facilities Directory for Mackinac Island Airport notes in the remarks section that the AWOS-3 winds are unreliable due to trees north of the runway.
Post-Accident Observations
An examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies. The pilot's observation of the flag standing straight out suggests significant wind from the north at the time of the landing.