Incident Overview
A pilot reported that during an intended touch-and-go landing, a right crosswind caused the aircraft to drift to the left. The left wingtip struck a tree limb located at the runway boundary right-of-way. Following the impact, the aircraft continued onto the runway shoulder, resulting in substantial damage to the vertical and horizontal stabilizers, nose gear, and firewall.
Sequence of Events
The pilot initiated the touch-and-go maneuver, which involves landing and immediately taking off again without stopping. During the landing phase, the aircraft encountered a right crosswind component. The crosswind induced a leftward drift, causing the aircraft to deviate from the intended path. The left wingtip made contact with a tree limb situated at the edge of the runway right-of-way. After the wingtip strike, the aircraft landed on the runway shoulder rather than the paved surface.
Damage Assessment
The impact with the runway shoulder resulted in substantial damage to multiple components. The vertical and horizontal stabilizers, which are critical for directional and pitch control, sustained damage. Additionally, the nose gear and firewall were compromised. The extent of the damage necessitated repairs before the aircraft could be returned to service.