Incident Details
According to the pilot, after departure, the airplane immediately encountered "very turbulent wind," prompting a decision to return for landing. The pilot reported that the airplane was extremely difficult to control in all three axes. During final approach just over runway 17, the pilot observed an airspeed of approximately 60 knots and noted the stall warning was flickering. In response, the pilot added power and reduced flaps to execute a go-around. The pilot stated that the airplane then stalled, and he continued to pull back on the yoke. Subsequently, the airplane collided with the runway and caught fire. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunction with the airplane.
Witness Observations
Two witnesses on the ramp observed the airplane on final approach. They reported that it appeared to have approximately 30 degrees of crab into the wind. One witness noted that the airplane's nose pitched up, dropped suddenly, then about 30 feet above the ground, the nose pitched up again, followed by an abrupt drop to the runway.
Weather Data
A review of recorded weather data from Huntsville International Airport, Huntsville, Alabama, located 4.6 nautical miles west of the accident site, revealed that at 0753, winds were reported from 230 degrees at 12 knots.