Accident Overview
A student pilot was performing a full stop landing from the left seat with an instructor occupying the right seat. During the flare, a sudden gust of wind pushed the airplane to the left, prompting the instructor to take control of the aircraft.
Sequence of Events
The instructor pilot reported that a sudden, heavy gust of wind was encountered, causing the airplane to begin ballooning upward and turning drastically to the left. The instructor attempted a go-around; however, the airplane was already at low altitude and subsequently collided with the ground. The impact occurred on the grassy area adjacent to the runway.
Damage and Conditions
The hard landing resulted in the nose gear breaking off. Federal Aviation Administration inspectors documented substantial damage to both the left and right wings. The instructor pilot noted that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane at the time of the accident. Although no weather reporting capability existed at the landing airport, gusting wind conditions were reported approximately 18 miles to the northwest.