NTSB Factual Report

The pilot purchased the airplane on the day of the accident and received only one hour of instruction from the previous owner prior to departing back to his home airport. Prior to making his first fuel stop, the pilot received weather from an airport 44 miles away and knew he would land with a slight crosswind. He had to abort his first two attempts to land due to turbulent and gusty wind conditions. On the third landing attempt, the airplane encountered a gust from the right just as the wheels touched down and it was pushed toward the left side of the runway. The pilot applied full power and tried to go around, but the airplane continued to go off the side of the runway toward a ditch. The pilot said he pulled the throttle to idle before he collided with the ditch but forgot to use the hand brake since he was not used to using a hand brake (versus toe brakes) to slow the airplane. The airplane collided with the ditch and came to rest up on its nose. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the inboard section of the left wing. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane or engine and said his lack of familiarity with the airplane contributed to the accident. The closest weather facility to the accident site, which was 46 nautical miles northwest, reported wind conditions as 330 degrees at 8 knots, gusts to 15 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s inadequate compensation for gusty, crosswind conditions while landing, which resulted in a loss of directional control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of familiarity with the airplane.