ERA13CA098

As the pilot and airplane owner approached the destination airport, the pilot received a radio call from another pilot who reported leaving the traffic pattern at the destination airport because of wind conditions. The pilot continued his approach to land on runway 34 but later aborted the landing due to strong crosswind conditions. After obtaining current wind information from the airport’s universal communications frequency, he decided to attempt a landing on runway 22. After the airplane crossed the airport perimeter fence, the airplane’s nose impacted the ground and the airplane subsequently skidded down the left side of the runway before coming to rest. A postcrash fire consumed much of the wreckage with the exception of the empennage and outboard sections of both wings. At the time of the accident, airport ground personnel reported wind from 260 degrees at 18 knots gusting to 26 knots.

According to the pilot, the airplane owner and he were returning from a cross country flight. As they approached their destination airport, the pilot received a radio call from an airplane that reported leaving the pattern at the destination airport due to the winds. The pilot continued his approach to land on runway 34; however, he later aborted his landing due to strong crosswinds. After obtaining current winds from the airport’s universal communications frequency, he elected to attempt a landing on runway 22. After the airplane crossed the airport perimeter fence it was struck by a gust of wind. The airplane’s nose impacted the ground and the airplane subsequently skidded down the left side of the runway before coming to rest. A post-crash fire consumed much of the wreckage with the exception of the empennage and outboard sections of both wings. According to a local weather observation facility, the recorded winds at the time of the accident were from 260 degrees at 18 knots gusting to 26 knots.