Incident Overview
A certified flight instructor (CFI) and a student pilot were conducting pattern work at an uncontrolled airport. The CFI had assumed control of the aircraft to demonstrate a short field landing technique. As the aircraft approached the runway threshold, the CFI reported an excessive sink rate that he attributed to a downburst. He initiated a go-around, but the aircraft touched down on a gravel embankment before reaching the paved runway surface.
Aircraft Damage
The impact with the gravel embankment caused the nose gear to break off, and the aircraft nosed over. The extent of damage to the remainder of the aircraft is not specified in the report.
Pilot Information
The CFI had accumulated approximately 430 total flight hours at the time of the incident. No further details regarding the student pilot's experience or the aircraft type, registration, or engine count were provided.
Sequence of Events
The flight was engaged in routine pattern work when the CFI took over the controls to demonstrate a short field landing. Shortly before reaching the runway threshold, the aircraft encountered an unexpected descent. The CFI attempted to abort the landing by initiating a go-around, but the aircraft was too low to avoid contact with the gravel embankment adjacent to the runway. Following the hard landing on the embankment, the nose gear failed, causing the aircraft to tilt forward and come to rest inverted.
Environmental Conditions
The CFI specifically noted the presence of a downburst as the cause of the excessive sink rate. No other weather information or time of day was included in the report. The runway surface was paved, but the incident occurred on the gravel area prior to the threshold.
Investigation Notes
The report does not assign a probable cause or provide analysis. The only causal factor mentioned is the downburst, as reported by the CFI. No other contributing factors or recommendations are stated.