Landing Attempt
The pilot conducted an initial landing on runway 27 but was dissatisfied with the approach due to gusty conditions, prompting a second landing attempt. As the airplane neared touchdown, it unexpectedly began a turn to the left.
Runway Excursion
The airplane first touched down approximately 75 feet to the left of the runway edge. It then continued on a southerly arc away from the runway, passing through an aircraft tie-down area before striking two parked airplanes. The right wing separated from the fuselage at the wing root. The airplane came to rest about 346 feet from the runway centerline.
Runway and Wind Information
Runway 27 at the accident airport measured 3,582 feet in length and 60 feet in width, with a displaced threshold of 350 feet. The only wind information available at the airport was a wind sock. At the time of the accident, winds observed at an airport 9 miles southeast were reported from 330 degrees at 12 knots, with gusts to 18 knots. Calculations indicated that if those winds were present, the crosswind component would have ranged from 11.7 to 17.5 knots. A required cockpit placard stated the demonstrated crosswind component for the airplane was 17 knots.
Pilot Actions
The pilot reported obtaining weather information from commercial television and radio stations. He did not report experiencing any mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane during the accident landing.