Incident Overview
A pilot reported that during landing, the airplane encountered strong wind conditions resulting in a loss of control and subsequent ground loop, causing the nose landing gear to collapse.
Approach and Wind Conditions
According to the pilot, the tower informed him that the winds were from 250 degrees at 25 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. The pilot aborted his first approach to runway 19R. On the second approach, he reported having "good rudder and aileron control at the 80 mph approach speed."
Wind Shear Encounter
At approximately 40 feet above ground level (agl), the pilot encountered "a strong wind shear" which caused the airplane to drop to an altitude of 10 feet agl. The pilot added power and landed the airplane on the runway.
Loss of Control
Immediately after touchdown, a "very strong gust of wind" lifted the right wing and pushed the airplane towards the left side of the runway. The pilot attempted to regain control but was unsuccessful, and the airplane continued to the left "into a ground loop off of the runway."
Aftermath
The nose landing gear collapsed, and the airplane came to rest nose down. Recorded winds at the airport near the time of the incident were from 260 degrees at 24 knots with gusts to 30 knots.