Accident Overview
The pilot was cleared to land on runway 26. He estimated the winds at the time were "varying from the west to the north at 10 to 14 knots." However, the surface winds at the airport were recorded as 330 degrees at 18 knots, gusting to 23 knots near the time of the accident.
Pilot Report
During the landing, the airplane touched down on the left main landing gear, with the right main gear intermittently contacting the ground. The pilot attempted to lower the right wing to improve wheel-to-runway contact but was unsuccessful due to a wind gust. He reported that the left main gear felt "mushy" and he was applying braking to avoid an overrun when the airplane swerved to the left, off the runway and onto soft grass.
Aircraft Damage
The main landing gear collapsed as a result of the excursion. Both wings' outer structures incurred substantial damage before the airplane came to a complete stop. The pilot reported no pre-accident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operations.