Incident Details
During the base leg approach to Wilson Bar Airstrip, the pilot reported encountering several moderate downdrafts. The final approach was flown at an airspeed of 65 to 70 miles per hour. On short final, a severe downdraft was encountered. The pilot applied full power and managed to keep the aircraft from entering the river, but the subsequent airspeed became excessive. The aircraft landed long on the 1,500-foot runway, overran the end, and nosed over.
Aircraft Damage
The engine mount, firewall, and cowling were bent. The vertical stabilizer and rudder were bent. The right wing and right horizontal stabilizer were bent and wrinkled.
Runway Characteristics
In the additional remarks for Wilson Bar USFS Airstrip on AirNav.com, it is stated: "Strip downdrafts prevalent on approach to runway 24."