Accident Sequence
During final approach, the airplane collided with the upslope side of an embankment. The embankment had a 30-degree slope and was located about 15 feet below the runway threshold and 10 feet to the right of the runway centerline. After impact, the airplane traveled up and onto the runway, skidding 64 feet before coming to a halt on the right edge of the runway.
Witness and Weather Observations
Fire and rescue personnel reported that when they arrived at the scene, the wind was gusting approximately 20 knots. A witness who observed the airplane on its landing approach described the approach as "steep." The witness also stated that it was "very windy, really blowing, about 50 knots."
Pilot Background
According to the pilot's wife, her husband had been flying out of the ranch airstrip for about four years, often commuting daily to his business. She said he was thoroughly aware of the variable wind conditions in the area and always made steep approaches at higher than normal airspeeds to compensate for sudden changes in wind direction and velocity.