Incident Overview
A pilot and passenger were cleared by tower for an approach to runway 17 Right (R). During the landing, a violent wind gust without warning hit the airplane. The pilot attempted to recover, when a second violent wind gust hit the airplane, causing a wing to hit the ground.
Impact and Damage
The initial impact point was the left wing, which struck the safety area between runway 17R and runway 17 Left (L), just beyond taxiway Foxtrot. The airplane came to rest in the same safety area, oriented about 45° left of the initial impact point and approximately 10 feet from runway 17L. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing, fuselage, and rudder.
Meteorological Conditions
The meteorological aerodrome report indicated that the wind was from 220° at 31 knots, gusting to 38 knots around the time of the accident. According to the manufacturer's pilot operating handbook, the maximum demonstrated crosswind component for the airplane is 23 knots.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.