Accident Details
A certificated private pilot was conducting a local flight of about 30 minutes. Upon returning to the airport, the pilot attempted to land on runway 18. The pilot reported that approximately 10 feet above the runway, a gust of wind caused the right wing to rise "about 30 degrees from level." In response, the pilot added power and applied full right aileron and full right rudder. However, the airplane "did not respond" and veered to the left. The airplane subsequently impacted the ground to the left of the runway.
The accident resulted in substantial damage to the wings, tail, fuselage, and engine. The pilot sustained minor injury.
Weather Conditions
The airport was equipped with an automated surface observing system (ASOS), but it did not have the capability to record weather observations. The pilot stated that before departure, the ASOS reported "windshear" and that the winds were from 210 degrees at 10 knots with gusts to 25 knots.
Weather reports from nearby airports indicated gusty winds from the southwest, between 9 and 24 knots, both before and after the accident. One nearby airport reported a peak wind of 28 knots from 240 degrees approximately four minutes after the accident.
Pilot Information
The pilot reported that the pilot's operating handbook for the airplane stated that the maximum demonstrated crosswind was 20 knots.