Incident Overview
During a landing approach to a private airstrip, an aircraft collided with trees. According to the pilot, earlier attempts to land had been high and fast. To avoid landing too long on the airstrip, the pilot intentionally slowed the aircraft and used less altitude.
Sequence of Events
On short final approach, the aircraft descended below the tree line. The pilot attributed this to a downdraft. He added power but was concerned that raising the nose would cause a stall. Consequently, he kept the nose level and flew through the tree tops. The aircraft made contact with one large tree and then descended to the airstrip.
Pilot Statements
The pilot stated that on earlier attempts he was high and fast. He intentionally slowed the aircraft and used less altitude to ensure he would not land too long on the airstrip. He further stated that on short final, the aircraft descended below the tree line because of a downdraft. Adding power, he feared that raising the nose would stall the aircraft, so he kept the nose level and flew through the tree tops. The aircraft contacted one large tree and descended to the airstrip.