Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during final approach. Contributing to the accident was the downdraft.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot was performing a full-stop landing to runway 13 in a single-engine jet airplane. While on short final, at approximately 30 feet above ground level, the airplane experienced a sudden loss of lift. The pilot was unable to correct for the loss of lift prior to the airplane landing short of the runway in the grass. The airplane continued forward onto the runway and then departed the side of the runway before coming to rest in an upright position. The airplane sustained substantial thermal damaged during the post crash fire. A weather reporting station at the airport recorded winds at the time of the accident from 130 degrees at 13 knots gusting to 16 knots. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction or failure with the airplane.
Source record
Factual narrative
The commercial pilot was performing a full-stop landing to runway 13 in a single-engine jet airplane. While on short final, at approximately 30 feet above ground level, the airplane experienced a sudden loss of lift. The pilot was unable to correct for the loss of lift prior to the airplane landing short of the runway in the grass. The airplane continued forward onto the runway and then departed the side of the runway before coming to rest in an upright position. The commercial pilot and passenger were able to egress the airplane unassisted. The airplane sustained substantial thermal damaged during the post crash fire. A weather reporting station at the airport recorded winds at the time of the accident from 130 degrees at 13 knots gusting to 16 knots. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction or failure with the airplane.