Incident Summary
A pilot reported that during a landing approach to a ridgeline airstrip, he deployed full wing flaps and descended toward the touchdown point. At approximately 15 feet above ground level, the airplane encountered a downdraft or sink that the pilot failed to recognize and correct. He also noted that the approach speed was too slow for the unstable air conditions, which likely increased the rate of descent.
Sequence of Events
The airplane touched down hard, short of the intended touchdown point, and subsequently nosed over, coming to rest inverted. The hard landing and nose-over resulted in substantial damage to the left wing and the empennage.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The incident was attributed to the pilot's inability to recognize and arrest the sink and the slower-than-appropriate approach speed given the unstable air.