N4366R

The private pilot was performing a crosswind landing during a local flight. While on final approach to runway 27 the airplane reportedly encountered "significant southerly winds and gusts." The pilot stated that just prior to touchdown his "landing control suddenly deteriorated" and he attempted to level the airplane before impacting the runway. The nose landing gear separated from the airplane during the impact, which resulted in substantial damage to the engine firewall. A weather observation, completed 6 minutes after the accident, indicated that the wind was from 210 degrees at 11 knots. Another observation, completed 31 minutes after the accident, indicated that the wind was from 190 degrees at 12 knots, gusting to 19 knots. The pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented if he had used runway 21, which would have reduced the crosswind component during landing.