What happened
The pilot was executing a final approach to runway 26 at 85 KIAS with two notches of flaps deployed. Approximately one mile from the runway, the engine experienced a momentary irregularity, which the pilot addressed by slightly enrichening the mixture, after which the engine resumed smooth operation.
As the aircraft reached approximately 150 yards from the runway threshold, it began to sink excessively while maintaining a nose-high attitude. The pilot attributed this sudden descent to windshear. This resulted in the aircraft performing a hard landing and bouncing.
In an attempt to abort the landing due to a ditch located ahead of the aircraft, the pilot retracted the landing gear—intending to strike the ditch with the gear up—and applied power. The aircraft touched down a second time, swerved 90 degrees, and skidded to a halt on the dirt.
The investigation
A post-accident examination of the aircraft and engine revealed no discrepancies. Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) weather data recorded 36 miles southeast of the accident site indicated winds from 240 degrees at 11 knots, gusting to 15 knots.