Incident Details
During the landing phase, the airplane departed the runway surface. Subsequently, the nose landing gear collapsed after it made contact with a gravel area adjacent to the runway. The aircraft came to rest off the paved surface.
Pilot Statement
According to the pilot, the flight proceeded normally to the destination airport. The pilot stated that the wind was from the north at "10 or more knots" and described the conditions as "very gusty." Air traffic control cleared the pilot to land on runway 09. As the main landing gear touched down, the nose of the airplane "lifted unexpectedly and moved to my left," according to the pilot. The aircraft then veered sharply to the left and exited the side of the runway. The nose landing gear collapsed after it entered a gravel area. The pilot further commented that he should have applied "better wind corrections and got the aircraft pointed straight down the runway."
Weather Information
A surface observation weather report from Key West International Airport, recorded at 1131 on the day of the accident—approximately 11 minutes after the occurrence—indicated the wind was from 350 degrees at 15 knots. No wind gusts were noted in that observation.