What happened
During the landing approach to runway 16, the pilot of the aircraft encountered a sudden increase in descent rate between 125 and 150 feet above ground level. In an attempt to arrest the descent, the pilot increased engine power and applied back pressure on the yoke. Despite these corrective actions, the aircraft continued to descend and struck a line of trees.
Following the impact, the aircraft slid approximately 15 to 20 feet along the ground and underwent a 180-degree pivot to the right. At 1557, a nearby weather station located 13 nautical miles west-southwest of the site reported winds from 210 degrees at 10 knots, with gusts reaching 14 knots.