Incident
During a landing attempt at the intended destination, the pilot encountered a gusty crosswind with downdrafts. According to the pilot, while approaching the runway approximately 20 feet above the ground and just before crossing the threshold, a sudden downdraft caused the airplane to rapidly and suddenly sink. The right main landing gear impacted the gravel and dirt area about 10 feet in front and to the right of the runway.
Witness Observations and Pilot Response
Ground-based witnesses observed the mishap and informed the pilot that the landing gear appeared damaged. The pilot subsequently aborted the landing and performed a go-around. The pilot then diverted to an alternate airport with a longer runway, where an intentional gear-up landing was made.
Aircraft Examination
An examination of the airplane revealed that the right main landing gear was broken, and the right wing and fuselage were deformed. The wing and fuselage were buckled during the hard landing.