Incident Summary
While returning to the local airport, the pilot was informed by the tower controller of a storm cell approaching. The controller issued a clearance to land and reported winds from 70 degrees left of runway heading at 25 knots, gusting to 34 knots. The pilot estimated the crosswind component at 18 knots and landed using 40 degrees of flaps.
During the landing roll, the wind shifted to a tailwind, causing the airplane to drift to the right side of the 150-foot-wide runway. The pilot initiated a go-around but could not regain control. He then aborted the go-around and attempted to bring the airplane to a stop. The airplane departed the right side of the runway and continued into a field, where it encountered uneven terrain and nosed over.
Damage
Substantial damage was sustained to the airplane's wings and vertical stabilizer.
Pilot Actions and Aircraft Information
The pilot reported no preimpact malfunctions. A review of Air Traffic Control transmissions revealed that the pilot was aware of alerts for low-level windshear and microbursts during his local flight.
The airplane's pilot operating handbook (POH) directs pilots to use the minimum flap setting required for field length when operating in strong crosswinds. The handbook does not state a maximum allowable crosswind velocity, but it notes that average pilot technique should be able to handle 15 knots of crosswind. At the time of landing, the crosswind component ranged between 23 and 32 knots.
Meteorological Conditions
Winds reported by the tower were from 70 degrees left of runway heading at 25 knots, gusting to 34 knots. The pilot estimated the crosswind at 18 knots, but actual crosswinds during landing were between 23 and 32 knots.