Accident Overview
A tail-wheel equipped airplane experienced a wing strike and landing gear collapse during the landing roll on runway 31L. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine prior to the accident.
Sequence of Events
According to the pilot, before entering the traffic pattern, the airport's Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) indicated wind from 040 degrees at 11 knots, gusting to 15 knots. The pilot noted that the airplane's maximum crosswind component is 15 knots and that he had previously landed in similar conditions. Throughout the traffic pattern, the pilot requested wind updates from the controller; on short final, the wind was reported as 030 degrees at 11 knots. The landing was uneventful until during the landing roll, a gust of wind lifted the right wing. Despite the pilot's control inputs, the left wing scraped the ground as the airplane turned to the right. Subsequently, the left main landing gear collapsed, causing the airplane to slide and come to rest perpendicular to the runway.
Weather Information
The weather reporting station at the accident airport reported wind at the time of the accident as 030 degrees at 8 knots, gusting to 17 knots.
Pilot Statement
In a written statement, the pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented by landing at a nearby airport until conditions improved.