What happened
The pilot was circling the Mile Hi United States Forest Service emergency airstrip to observe another aircraft accident when they encountered lee side winds and a downdraft. This loss of altitude forced the pilot to flare the aircraft to land.
The pilot's plan was to coast southbound and upslope over the ridge where the north/south strip is located, intending to take off on the upwind side. However, as the aircraft reached the top of the ridge, it encountered an upslope wind that caused a right yaw.
As the aircraft became airborne and crossed the ridge crest, the left main landing gear impacted the ground, resulting in its collapse. At the time of the accident, the pilot estimated winds at the site to be between 130 and 140 degrees at 5 to 10 knots. The temperature was approximately 80 degrees Fahrenheit, resulting in an approximate density altitude of 8,700 feet.