Incident Overview
A pilot was flying an airplane to a nearby airport for a maintenance inspection. During the approach, the pilot received current wind information from another pilot on the ground. After configuring the airplane for landing, the pilot flew what he described as a "normal approach."
Landing Sequence
The main landing gear touched down just past the displaced threshold while the airplane was traveling at 77 knots. The airplane then "bounced" and, while still in the air, the pilot held the airplane at a "normal landing attitude." At that point, the airplane was "hit by a gust of wind" from the left. The airplane veered to the left, departed the runway, and continued over grass.
Post-Impact Events
The nose landing gear impacted a mound of dirt and collapsed. The airplane traveled a few hundred feet past the mound and eventually came to rest in a nose-down attitude.
Damage and Mechanical Condition
Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the firewall and engine mounts. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane that could have precluded normal operation.