Landing Sequence
According to the pilot, the airplane was landing on runway 18 at a bayside airport. The tower reported winds from 270 degrees at 15 knots. The pilot stated that the airplane touched down on the main wheels, and he held control yoke back-pressure until the nose wheel contacted the runway.
Loss of Control
After the nose wheel touched down, the airplane veered 90 degrees to the left. The pilot reported that the airplane then "did a small skip/bounce," departed the runway, and crossed a grassy area. Subsequently, the airplane struck a seawall, went over it, and came to rest nose-down, almost vertically, with salt water reaching nearly to the cockpit.
Damage and Inspection
The left wing and fuselage were substantially damaged. Neither the pilot nor the responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector reported any preexisting mechanical anomalies with the airplane.
Wind Conditions
Wind was recorded at the airport one minute before the accident as 240 degrees true at 10 knots. The airport had a runway 25, but it was closed at the time of the accident.