Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to attain proper flare during landing resulting in a hard landing short of the runway threshold. Contributing to the accident were gusting wind conditions.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot maneuvered the airplane onto the final approach leg of the traffic pattern; he reduced the power to slow the airplane and encountered a significant downdraft or windshear. The airplane impacted the ground about 150 feet short of the runway threshold. The nose and left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing contacted a snow berm which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing and lower fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.