Pilot Loses Directional Control During Landing, Aircraft Noses Over (N8872T)

Accident Details

The pilot lost directional control while attempting to land, causing the airplane to veer off the runway and nose over. The airplane came to rest inverted after descending an embankment. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane.

Sequence of Events

The pilot was attempting to land on runway 36. He descended to traffic pattern altitude and followed another airplane for a right-hand traffic pattern. During the downwind and base legs, the pilot did not have the runway in sight due to the mountainous terrain surrounding the airport. On short final, the windsock and runway became visible. The airplane passed over the threshold and encountered moderate to severe turbulence with wind shear. The airplane touched down hard on the runway and bounced back into the air. The pilot observed a sudden 180-degree shift in wind direction indicated by the windsock. The airplane floated in ground effect due to the tailwind conditions. The pilot opted not to execute a go-around because he believed he would not be able to clear the mountainous terrain. The airplane touched down in a grassy area to the right of the runway, continued to roll, and encountered a descending embankment before coming to rest inverted.

Weather Conditions

The pilot reported that the winds at the time of the accident were from 360 degrees at 15 to 20 knots, with gusts and moderate to severe turbulence.