What happened
The accident occurred during the final phase of flight. The pilot was conducting an approach to land when the aircraft descended too high above the runway threshold. Upon reaching the flare point, the pilot pulled back on the controls excessively, causing the aircraft to flare well above the ground surface.
This excessive flare resulted in a steep descent angle and an excessive sink rate at the moment of initial touchdown. The aircraft struck the runway hard and bounced back into the air while maintaining a nose-high attitude and very low airspeed. During this second airborne phase, the pilot was unable to maintain directional control.
A right quartering headwind acted on the aircraft during the bounce, pushing it laterally off the runway centerline. The aircraft impacted a treeline located immediately adjacent to the airstrip. The pilot later stated that the distance between the runway edge and the tree line was insufficient for recovery from such an event.
The investigation
Examination of the wreckage indicated that the aircraft had struck trees at the edge of the airfield. No mechanical failures or pre-impact anomalies were identified that would have hindered normal operation.
Findings
The pilot's decision to flare too high during the landing approach led to an excessive sink rate and a subsequent bounce. The loss of control was directly attributed to the combination of low airspeed, nose-high attitude, and the effect of a right quartering headwind after the aircraft became airborne again.
excessive sink rate
The proximity of the treeline to the runway edge limited the pilot's ability to recover or avoid impact. The aircraft sustained substantial damage upon striking the trees.