Incident Details
The pilot of an aircraft on approach reported encountering a severe wind shear downdraft when about 30 to 50 feet above the ground. The downdraft was so intense that all loose items in the cockpit flew up to the ceiling. The pilot believed that the aircraft was crabbing at the moment of touchdown, and the resulting side forces broke the right main landing gear above the wheel/axle casting.
Structural Damage
The accident sequence caused buckling of the right wing and buckling at the rear of the cabin. The nature of the damage is consistent with a very hard landing.
Weather Conditions
Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. However, winds were reported at 30 knots, gusting to 41 knots. These strong and gusty winds likely contributed to the wind shear conditions encountered.
Observations
Control tower personnel who observed the landing characterized it as a very hard landing. The aircraft's right main landing gear failed, and the airframe sustained significant structural deformation.