Background
A pilot decided to land at an airstrip that he had last used approximately three years prior. Before landing, he performed a low pass over the strip at 500 ft to inspect the condition.
Sequence of Events
During the pass, the pilot noted that the sun and glare were bright. He observed white spots on the strip but believed them to be filled-in areas. In fact, these spots were truck loads of sand, each about 3 to 4 ft high. As the aircraft flared during landing, the right main landing gear struck one of the sand mounds. The pilot initiated a go-around but aborted it when the nose gear hit another mound and sheared off.
Investigation Findings
An investigation revealed that the airport had been closed. Its listing had been removed from the Texas Airport Directory and the AOPA Airport Directory. Additionally, it was no longer depicted on the Houston Aeronautical Chart.