NTSB Factual Report

During the landing flare, the pilot of the Piper PA-28R-200 reported that the airplane was "caught" by a gust of wind, while about 3 to 4 feet above the runway. The airplane impacted the runway with lateral motion that "side loaded" the landing gear and resulted in substantial damage, though the pilot did not feel the landing was particularly hard. The pilot reported that a crosswind of 10 to 15 knots was present at the time of the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions, which resulted in a hard landing. A factor was the wind.