C172 pilot reported a loss of control upon landing in a strong crosswind resulting in a propeller and wing tip strike with the ground. The pilot was able to taxi to parking and inspected the damage to the aircraft.

Date: 2024-08 · Aircraft: Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172 · Phase: landing

Anomalies: deviation-discrepancy-procedural-published-material-policy|ground-event-encounter-weather-turbulence|ground-event-encounter-ground-strike-aircraft|ground-event-encounter-loss-of-aircraft-control|inflight-event-encounter-weather-turbulence

Synopsis

C172 pilot reported a loss of control upon landing in a strong crosswind resulting in a propeller and wing tip strike with the ground. The pilot was able to taxi to parking and inspected the damage to the aircraft.

Narrative

Flying ZZZ1-ZZZ2. After getting in the air I requested flight following. About 45 min into flight center advised of weather in and near the vicinity of ZZZ3; including moderate to severe turbulence from a king air pirep. I opted to attempt to land and wait for conditions to improve. My first choice was ZZZ4; however ASOS reported ~26k winds gusting 34. Being uncomfortable with those conditions; I opted to look elsewhere.After looking at other airports; I opted for ZZZ. I was familiar with airport; and liked that there were 3 runways so more flexibility to minimize cross winds. With the winds going; I felt rwy XX would work well. Shortly after selecting approach advised XX was only for military unless declaring emergency. I didn't feel the situation warranted an emergency; as I had plenty of fuel and the airplane was fine. I opted to attempt rwy XY; and on final approach didn't feel coordinated enough so I executed a go around. Upon going around tower advised that winds were shifting and rwy XZ might be better. While in the pattern I checked weather at other airports in the vicinity (ZZZ5; ZZZ6; ZZZ7) and didn't feel they offered a better option. I felt I needed to get down rather than stay up and risk conditions getting worse; so I attempted rwy XZ. I was more coordinated; however winds were still a struggle. I crabbed in for a landing; but upon touching down; I believe i was side loaded on my landing gear; combined with the winds; and having 20* of flaps in; shortly after touching my nose started to tip down and my right wing started tipping towards the ground. Ultimately ended with the prop striking; and a brief grounding of the right wing.I was able to taxi on my own power to parking; and inspect the plane; when I was able to confirm the strike of the prop and wing. I also confirmed with tower of the strike.While I stand by the decision that landing somewhere as soon as possible was the best decision; I have learned from this that I should have potentially been more patient with a possible 2nd go around; and possibly re-evaluating alternative airports. While I still had plenty of fuel; I didn't feel returning towards ZZZ was a good option; as it would have added more stress and burned even more fuel; as I had only once flown into an airport in or near a bravo airspace; combined with the lower ceiling in the area. I should have looked more at additional alternates; or even communicated to ATC my uncomfortableness with the situation. Had I expressed that; I may have been able to find more suitable options with their help. Ultimately I could have considered the option of declaring an emergency; but considering I had plenty of fuel; and that I didn't feel there was an imminent threat to life; I didn't feel it was justified. Ultimately discussing with the controller; I could have received additional information; and made a decision on if I as PIC wanted to declare or not.I will take this as a chance to get additional instruction and experience with cross wind landings; and better refine my personal minimums for flying.

Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.