NTSB Factual Report

While attempting to land in variable wind conditions, with gusts to about 15 knots, the pilot inadvertently allowed the aircraft to porpoise. During that sequence, the nose gear hit the runway hard a number of times, and ultimately sustained damage that made the aircraft hard to control. The pilot then lost control of the aircraft, which departed the side of the runway. A post-event inspection determined that the aircraft had sustained substantial damage.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control which resulted in the aircraft porpoising during the landing. A factor was the wind gusts.