Accident Sequence
The pilot configured the airplane for a crosswind landing on runway 36 using crossed control inputs. After flaring, the airplane touched down in a three-point attitude. Rolling approximately 150 to 200 feet down the runway, the airplane began a slow right turn. The pilot applied left rudder and light braking in an attempt to correct the turn, but the airplane departed the right side of the runway. The left main landing gear was torn off, and the left wing was bent upward after striking the ground.
Wind Conditions
At the time of the accident, the wind was reported from 100 degrees at 14 knots, gusting to 18 knots. According to AeroPlanner.com's "Wind Calculator and Wind Speed Measurement," these conditions resulted in a crosswind component of 13.7 to 17.7 knots and a tailwind component of 2.5 to 3.2 knots. In the 1950s, maximum demonstrated crosswind components were not published by airframe manufacturers. Today, light general aviation airplanes are typically limited to a direct crosswind component of 15 knots.
Damage
The airplane sustained structural damage: the left main landing gear was torn off, and the left wing was bent upward. No other damage was reported.