Incident Overview
The airplane sustained substantial damage after impacting a ditch during landing. The landing was attempted on runway 15, which is 4,800 feet long and 60 feet wide, with a concrete surface.
Pilot Statement
According to the pilot, approximately 50 feet above the runway, the flight controls repeatedly transitioned from firm to mushy. At touchdown, the controls became mushy, and a gust of wind struck the side of the airplane, causing the airplane to windmill into the wind. The pilot reported being able to straighten the airplane, but the rear of the airplane fishtailed two or three times before departing the east side of the runway.
Sequence of Events
After departing the runway, the airplane traveled about 30 feet and then impacted a ditch, which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe.