Incident Overview
While on short final approach to an airport situated on a mesa, the airplane encountered an updraft/downdraft situation, leading to a hard landing. The pilot reported attempting a higher and faster approach than normal to compensate for the winds.
Sequence of Events
During the approach, the pilot checked the airspeed on short final. Upon looking back outside, he observed the airplane descending. He attempted to arrest the descent by adding full power, but was unsuccessful.
Aftermath
After the hard landing, the airplane skidded off the runway through brush. It struck a taxiway sign, as well as taxiway and runway lights, before coming to rest back on the runway.