Accident Details
A pilot reported that during a flight to an off-airport snow-covered landing site, a sudden wind shift caused a hard landing resulting in structural damage to the airplane's empennage. The pilot indicated that upon departure approximately 50 minutes before the accident, the wind was light out of the north-northwest. As the flight progressed, the wind became variable between southwest and northeast.
Upon arrival at the destination, the pilot noted that landing required a correction for a right quartering headwind that was gusting 20 to 25 knots. During the approach, at an altitude of about 20 to 25 feet above the site, the wind shifted to a tailwind. The airplane subsequently landed hard in a three-point attitude.
Postaccident Inspection
A postaccident inspection of the airplane revealed structural damage to the empennage. According to the pilot, there were no reported preaccident malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.