What happened
On the final approach to runway 01, the pilot of a Cessna (registration not provided) extended the flaps to 45 degrees at one-half mile from the runway. According to the pilot, the flight had been normal until shortly after touchdown. During the landing, the right wing began to descend toward the ground. The right wingtip fuel tank struck a runway light, which caused the tank to be compromised.
A passenger on board noted that the approach appeared very slow and described the resulting landing as a joltingly hard impact. Following the contact, the passenger observed fuel draining from the right tip tank. After the aircraft came to rest, there was no post-landing fire, and the passenger exited via the rear door.
An eyewitness, a construction employee working near the approach end of runway 01, reported seeing the aircraft land in the dirt short of the runway. This observer noted that the aircraft landed very hard and subsequently bounced into the air. Additionally, an employee from a fixed base operation observed the aircraft on a steep final approach and witnessed what was described as a second landing.
The investigation
The inspection of the aircraft revealed that the right wingtip fuel tank was compromised due to the impact with a runway light. The right aileron sustained a deep gouge, and the outboard bottom section of the wing also received damage.