NTSB Factual Report

The pilot practiced maneuvers for approximately 50 minutes, and discovered upon returning to the airport that there was a 60-degree crosswind for the 2,900-foot-long by 60-foot-wide runway. He aborted landing twice, and on the third attempt, the airplane stalled, and the left wing impacted terrain substantially damaging the airplane. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions. The recorded wind, about the time of the accident, was 170 degrees at 10 knots gusting to 15 knots. When the pilot departed the airport 1 hour and 15 minutes earlier, winds were from the south at 4 knots. The pilot reported 154 hours of total flight experience, of which 39 hours were in the accident airplane make and model.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain proper airspeed on final approach, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.