Event Details
Before landing, the pilot overflew the airport and checked the windsock, observing winds at a direct 90-degree angle from the runway and gusting to approximately 35 knots. The pilot made repeated attempts to contact UNICOM but did not receive a response. The airplane subsequently touched down hard and veered off Runway 08.
Witness Accounts
A pilot in the pattern behind the accident aircraft reported to a witness that he had heard the accident pilot attempting to contact UNICOM, and also heard UNICOM's subsequent responses. The witness reported that the accident pilot made left-hand traffic for the runway, which has a published right-hand traffic pattern. The witness also reported that the winds were approximately 130 degrees gusting to about 35 knots. Additionally, the person monitoring UNICOM reported to the witness that he did receive transmissions from the pilot and had reported airport advisories to him.
Pilot Comments
After the accident, the pilot reported to the witness that he would not have attempted to land at the airport had he been able to receive airport advisories from UNICOM. The pilot noted no mechanical difficulties with the airplane.