Incident Summary
A multi-engine turboprop airplane was involved in a runway excursion during an attempted aborted landing. The pilot reported that while flaring for landing, a gust of crosswind pushed the aircraft to the right of the runway centerline. The pilot applied power to abort the landing, but the airplane touched down in the grass to the right of the runway.
Pilot Report
After the wheels contacted the grass, the pilot noted that the added power "caught up with the aircraft," but the airplane continued rolling toward trees and hangars. The pilot then reduced power to idle. Subsequently, the right wing impacted a tree, causing the right main landing gear and nose wheel to collapse. A post-crash fire ensued, and the right wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Weather Information
No record of observed weather at the airport during the accident was available. An automated weather observing system located approximately 14 nautical miles from the accident airport, near the time of the accident, recorded the wind as variable at 5 knots.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause, as stated in the investigation, is the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an attempted aborted landing in gusty crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and an impact with a tree.