Accident Summary
A pilot reported that during a touch-and-go landing on runway 29, the airplane encountered a series of airflow disturbances, resulting in a hard landing and substantial damage. The incident occurred while the pilot was performing a second touch-and-go landing.
Pilot's Account
According to the pilot, the first touch-and-go landing was uneventful, conducted with an approach speed of 67 knots. For the second touch-and-go landing, the pilot used an approach speed of 70 knots. The pilot stated that the airplane's airspeed remained stable during the pattern. However, just short of the runway, at approximately 30 feet above ground level (AGL), the pilot experienced a slight 'burble.' In response, the pilot initiated full power and dropped the airplane's nose a few degrees, at which point a second 'burble' was encountered. The pilot described that 'the airplane literally fell out of the sky' and struck the runway.
Damage Description
The impact with the runway caused the right main landing gear to separate. The separated landing gear then struck the right horizontal stabilizer. Additionally, the nose landing gear collapsed, the right wing tip and propeller struck the runway, and the airplane slid approximately 150 feet. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing spar and the right horizontal stabilizer.
Weather Conditions
The reported weather conditions at 1553 indicated wind from 310 degrees at 5 knots, and at 1604 the wind had shifted to 280 degrees at 8 knots.