Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain a proper glide path, which resulted in a touchdown short of the runway.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that during a landing at a remote dirt airstrip, while on short final, the airplane encountered a downdraft which resulted in a touchdown short of the runway. After impact the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage frame, the rudder, vertical stabilizer, and the engine mounts. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot reported that during a landing at a remote dirt airstrip, while on short final, the airplane encountered a downdraft which resulted in a touchdown short of the runway. After impact the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage frame, the rudder, vertical stabilizer, and the engine mounts. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.