Accident Overview
A pilot and passenger were involved in an accident during a local flight. The aircraft came to rest inverted on a grass runway after the nose gear separated from the airframe. Both occupants were able to speak with investigators but did not report injuries.
Pilot Account
The pilot stated that he obtained weather information from a television broadcast prior to the planned local flight. The winds were reported out of the south at 30 knots with gusts. While taxiing to the north/south grass runway, the pilot noted strong winds. Immediately after the southbound takeoff, conditions became "gusty." He opted to stay in the traffic pattern and re-land.
On final approach, the flaps were extended "one notch," and the indicated airspeed was 65 knots. After reducing the power to idle just prior to the flare, the airplane encountered a wind shear. A gust pitched the airplane up, then the wind abruptly stopped, causing the airplane to pitch nose down and collide with the runway. The nose gear separated from the airframe, and the airplane nosed over, coming to rest inverted.
Passenger Account
The right-seat passenger said that the approach seemed normal. The airplane leveled off over the runway, then floated for a little bit. He stated that the airplane then quickly nosed up before it "banged down." He recalled the flaps being extended "one notch" prior to impact.
Stall Warning
Neither the pilot nor the passenger remembers hearing a stall warning during the accident sequence.