Incident Overview
A pilot was practicing off-runway landings in tundra terrain at an elevation of approximately 11,000 feet. The pilot selected a landing area, made several passes to inspect the site, and decided to land uphill. During the approach, the pilot reported that on short final, he realized his sink rate was higher than comfortable and his groundspeed was too high. He applied full power, but the airplane contacted the ground while in a crab. The impact caused both main landing gear to break off and the wings to be bent.
Pilot Account
After exiting the airplane, the pilot assessed the situation and noted that he had landed with a 20-knot quartering tailwind. He also reported that the ambient air temperature at the crash site was 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The calculated density altitude at the time was 13,418 feet.
Environmental Conditions
The pilot's observations indicate that the landing was attempted in conditions of high density altitude due to the elevation and temperature. The tailwind component likely affected the approach and landing performance. No other environmental factors were specified in the source.