Incident Overview
A private pilot was conducting a night landing at a familiar airport. During the approach, the pilot reported misjudging the runway landing zone and executed a steep descent. The airplane subsequently landed hard on the runway and bounced back into the air.
Runway Excursion
While airborne after the bounce, a crosswind drifted the airplane off the 100-foot-wide runway. The airplane touched down in the grass adjacent to the runway. The pilot then applied power to execute a go-around.
Nose-Over
During the go-around attempt, the airplane's nose wheel dug into the soil, causing the aircraft to flip inverted. The accident resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and rudder.
Mechanical Examination
The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the airframe or engine prior to the accident. A post-accident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any pre-impact anomalies. Additionally, the pilot reported no problems with the airport facilities.