Incident Overview
A pilot reported that during the approach to Runway 17, the aircraft was configured with 30 degrees of flaps and maintained an airspeed of 55 knots. When the aircraft was approximately ten feet above ground level over the runway threshold, a strong gust of wind upset the aircraft. The pilot lost control and attempted to execute a go-around. The aircraft impacted the runway and bounced upward. Upon the second impact with the runway, the nose gear collapsed. The aircraft then nosed over and came to rest about 3,000 feet from the threshold.
Witness Account
A witness to the accident stated that the aircraft appeared to approach the runway a little too high and a bit too fast, with wind from the north to west. The witness reported that the initial touchdown was hard, causing the aircraft to bounce six feet into the air. It touched down again and bounced twenty feet into the air. The aircraft then appeared to stall and finally descended in a nose-low attitude, flipping over.
Wind Conditions
Winds at the time were estimated to be 10 to 12 knots with occasional gusts to 15 knots.