Flight and Weather Conditions
The pilot of a Maule MX-180C reported overflying a private airfield before landing and observed wind from the west that was described as "gusty." The pilot estimated the wind speed at 12 to 14 knots with gusts reaching up to 20 knots.
Landing Approach
The pilot chose to land on runway one without deploying flaps and maintained an airspeed 5 to 10 mph higher than normal to compensate for the gusty conditions.
Accident Sequence
During the flare, the airplane was lifted twice by wind gusts before eventually settling on the runway in a nose-high attitude, slightly left of the centerline. The aircraft then began to yaw to the left. The pilot attempted to correct the yaw by applying the right brake, but the airplane continued moving left. The left wing subsequently contacted a windsock, damaging the wing and causing the airplane to ground-loop around the windsock. The airplane came to rest after the right wing and elevator contacted the ground.
Damage
The left wing was damaged by contact with the windsock. The right wing and elevator were also damaged when they struck the ground during the ground loop.