DEN99LA052

The pilot set up to land midfield on runway 34 with winds reported to be from 300 degrees at 8 knots. According to the pilot, during the landing flare the airplane encountered a 'strong' direct crosswind gust. The airplane departed the right side of the runway, and nosed over in deep snow.

On March 14, 1999, approximately 1345 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-18 Super Cub, N90995, was substantially damaged following departure from the side of the runway during landing roll and nosing over in the snow at Lake County Airport, Leadville, Colorado. The private pilot, the sole occupant in the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was being operated by the owner under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-country personal flight which originated from Colorado Springs, Colorado, approximately 1 hour, 35 minutes before the accident. No flight plan had been filed.

The pilot said that as he approached Leadville from the south, he heard on the airport's UNICOM that the winds were 320 degrees at 8 knots, and that runway 33 was the active runway. As the pilot approached the airport, he requested airport advisories, and was told that the wind was 300 degrees at 8 knots. The pilot reported that he set up for a midfield landing. As he began to flare, a "strong direct crosswind gust suddenly struck the airplane." The pilot said that he attempted to perform a go-around, but departed the right side of runway 34. The airplane nosed over in one foot deep snow. The right wing and rudder were damaged.

The pilot noted that after the accident, the windsock, located near the center of the runway, was standing "almost straight out, and was perpendicular to the runway (with winds from the west)." He further observed that this midfield gusting wind condition continued for approximately 20 minutes.