Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot failed to maintain airspeed and stalled the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the unfavorable wind condition.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
After aborting the second or third attempted landing on a mountain ridge hunting strip, the pilot turned downwind. Several seconds after rolling out of the turn on downwind, and while at about 10 feet above the ground, the airplane's tail went up and the airplane nosed to the ground. Immediately upon impact the airplane burst into flames and was destroyed by fire. Three ground witnesses estimated that the gusty wind was blowing at 30 to 50 knots.
Source record
Factual narrative
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