Incident Overview
The pilot reported landing on runway 25 when, during the flare, the aircraft encountered wind gusts from multiple directions. The tower controller observed the airplane land in the dirt adjacent to the runway. Following touchdown, the nose landing gear failed, causing the aircraft to pitch nose-down onto its spinner and right wing tip before coming to rest upright.
Damage Assessment
Post-accident inspection revealed structural damage to the right wing, with the outer two feet of the wing tip bent upward and wrinkled. The propeller spinner was crushed, and both propeller blades were bent aft. No other damage was noted.
Wind Conditions
The pilot reported wind from 240 degrees at 14 knots. However, the airport's Automated Surface Observing System recorded wind from 210 degrees at 22 knots, gusting to 31 knots, indicating significant directional and speed variability at the time of landing.