Incident Overview
A pilot was returning to land after hauling skydivers. During the approach, while on a short final to Runway 31 with 20 to 30 degrees of flaps extended, the aircraft entered a high sink rate in gusty wind conditions. The pilot lowered the nose to increase speed and planned to arrest the sink rate during the flare, but reported that 'the bottom fell out' and the aircraft collided with the ground in a nose-low attitude.
Flight Manual Recommendations
The flight manual recommended that, if the runway length permitted, crosswind landings should be performed with the flaps retracted. The manufacturer estimated that 560 feet would have been required to land the aircraft on a hard surface with no wind and 40 degrees of flaps. The runway length was 2,800 feet.
Weather Conditions
The pilot reported the wind was variable from 240 to 270 degrees with gusts to 20 knots. Approximately 20 miles southeast at Shaw Air Force Base, the 1655 EDT wind was reported as from 260 degrees at 20 knots, gusting to 28 knots.