Narrative:

Diverted due to ill passenger. I used my xm weather to get the local weather. I recall the reported wind as 160 12g19. I called the local unicom to get current winds but did not get an answer. I was unfamiliar with the use of the local VOR transmitting current conditions at the airport. Runway xx was closed so I elected to land on runway xy. The crosswind component was near the demonstrated crosswind limit but I have landed numerous times in these conditions and was confident I could manage the landing. During the final landing roll (about 30 mph) the airplane started to weather vane to the right. I made sure I had full left rudder applied and full right aileron. I began to add left brake but the airplane continued to turn right into the wind. The left main gear (tailwheel airplane) began to dig in which allowed to right wing to rise. Once the wing came up the wind lifted the upwind wing causing a harder turn to the right as the left tire began to take the full load of the airplane and wind loads. The left main gear collapsed allowing the left wing tip to strike the runway. After securing the airplane and standing in the grass wondering what happened it was obvious the actual wind was 90 degrees to the runway and blowing at a steady 20 knots. As I look back on the incident I have discovered some thought processes that clouded my judgment. I had considered landing in the grass next to the closed runway; well clear of the construction but was afraid of getting a violation. As an retired airline captain with thousands of hours in the B-737 I was more concerned with getting a violation and obviously more willing to risk damaging the airplane in a high cross wind landing. I didn't have to land at this airport. I had plenty of fuel and there are lots of airports in this part of the country. My wife was sick and I let my concern for her comfort over shadow my evaluation of the conditions. I knew I had the skill to land the airplane in these wind conditions and let my confidence in my skill level overlook the airplanes physical limitations to handle strong cross winds. This incident was a result of a lapse of otherwise excellent judgement (45 years and 23;000 hours as a pilot with no violations nor damage to an airplane); not a lack of skill. I have learned a great lesson and will use it to teach my students the art of airmanship.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Maule pilot diverts to nearby airport with sick passenger and lands with full knowledge of cross winds. During the roll out the aircraft begins to weather vane causing the right wing to lift and the left main landing gear to collapse and the left wing tip to strike the runway.

Narrative: Diverted due to ill passenger. I used my XM weather to get the local weather. I recall the reported wind as 160 12G19. I called the local UNICOM to get current winds but did not get an answer. I was unfamiliar with the use of the local VOR transmitting current conditions at the airport. Runway XX was closed so I elected to land on Runway XY. The crosswind component was near the demonstrated crosswind limit but I have landed numerous times in these conditions and was confident I could manage the landing. During the final landing roll (about 30 MPH) the airplane started to weather vane to the right. I made sure I had full left rudder applied and full right aileron. I began to add left brake but the airplane continued to turn right into the wind. The left main gear (tailwheel airplane) began to dig in which allowed to right wing to rise. Once the wing came up the wind lifted the upwind wing causing a harder turn to the right as the left tire began to take the full load of the airplane and wind loads. The left main gear collapsed allowing the left wing tip to strike the runway. After securing the airplane and standing in the grass wondering what happened it was obvious the actual wind was 90 degrees to the runway and blowing at a steady 20 knots. As I look back on the incident I have discovered some thought processes that clouded my judgment. I had considered landing in the grass next to the closed runway; well clear of the construction but was afraid of getting a violation. As an retired Airline Captain with thousands of hours in the B-737 I was more concerned with getting a violation and obviously more willing to risk damaging the airplane in a high cross wind landing. I didn't have to land at this airport. I had plenty of fuel and there are lots of airports in this part of the country. My wife was sick and I let my concern for her comfort over shadow my evaluation of the conditions. I knew I had the skill to land the airplane in these wind conditions and let my confidence in my skill level overlook the airplanes physical limitations to handle strong cross winds. This incident was a result of a lapse of otherwise excellent judgement (45 years and 23;000 hours as a pilot with no violations nor damage to an airplane); not a lack of skill. I have learned a great lesson and will use it to teach my students the art of airmanship.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.