NTSB Factual Report

On November 10, 2003, at approximately 1205 mountain standard time, a Cessna T210N, N6961N, was substantially damaged during landing roll on a private airstrip, 2 miles southwest of Johnstown, Colorado. The private pilot, the sole person on board and operator of the airplane, reported no injuries. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The cross-country flight originated at Yuma, Colorado, at 1120.

The pilot reported that he was landing to the north. On rollout, approximately halfway down the runway, he encountered a "severe gust of wind from the west." The pilot said the airplane "weathervaned" and went off of the runway, collapsing the nose gear.

An examination of the airplane at the airstrip showed the nose gear was broken aft. The nose wheel well bulkheads were bent and bucked. The cowling was crushed upward and buckled. One propeller blade was torsionally bent and showed chordwise scratches. Flight control continuity was confirmed. An examination of the engine, engine controls, and other airplane systems showed no anomalies.

At 1155, the wind conditions at the Greeley-Weld Country Airport, Greeley, Colorado, 17 miles northeast of the accident site were 270 degrees at 17 knots with gusts to 21 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Factors contributing to the accident were the gusting crosswinds.