Incident Overview
As the airplane approached runway 35, the pilot applied full cross-control for crosswinds reported by the airport as from 260 degrees at 20 knots, gusting. Wind gusts were reported between 24 and 30 knots. The airplane touched down 4,500 feet past the threshold, at which point a strong gust pushed it to the right side of the runway. The pilot aborted the landing. During the abort, the nose landing gear struck a 24-inch-high snow bank at the 5,900-foot mark, causing damage. Witnesses reported that the airplane nearly "cartwheeled."
Subsequent Landing
After the abort, the pilot turned the airplane around and landed on runway 17. The airplane touched down at the 6,150-foot mark and skidded on its nose, coming to a halt at the 7,100-foot mark. The runway length is 8,900 feet.
Crosswind Conditions
The airplane's demonstrated crosswind component is 17 knots. The computed crosswind component varied depending on the reported wind velocity: 90 degrees at 20 knots, 24 knots, or 30 knots.