Runway Departure During Landing Flare at Gusting Wind Conditions

Incident Overview and Pilot Report During the initial climb after takeoff, the pilot stated that he became uncomfortable with the gusting wind conditions. He reported completing one traffic pattern before making an approach to runway 31. During the landing flare, the pilot recalled that the airplane encountered a wind gust that blew it to the right and off the runway. The aircraft touched down in the safety area on the right side of the runway and impacted a drainage culvert, where it came to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall and the right wing spar. The pilot reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical failures or anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation prior to the accident. ## Meteorological Conditions The meteorological aerodrome report at the accident airport reported: KJGG 141915Z AUTO 28013G18KT 220V300 10SM CLR 28/12 A2972 RMK AO1