Approach and Terrain
The pilot was conducting an approach to an east-west oriented, 1,500-foot grass airstrip. The strip was situated in terrain characterized by rolling hills and valleys. The approach path crossed a valley, with the final segment extending over an upward slope of a hill. The runway threshold was positioned atop that hill.
Windshear Encounter
On short final, the airplane encountered windshear. The pilot responded by applying full power and pitching the nose upward to execute a go-around. However, the airplane rapidly lost altitude, struck treetops, and then ‘mushed’ into the ground approximately 20 feet short of the runway.
Wind Conditions
Wind data recorded at a station about 5 nautical miles away indicated winds from 120 degrees true at 16 knots, gusting to 30 knots. The seven preceding hourly observations showed winds between 18 and 20 knots, with six of those reports including gusts at or above 30 knots.
Pilot Information
The pilot had accumulated approximately 9,000 hours of flight time and served as a captain for a major air cargo carrier.