Accident Details
On final approach to Tin City Airport, the pilot failed to realize his altitude was too low. The airplane struck the ground short of the runway threshold and crashed into the snow. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair, but both occupants were uninjured. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were marginal, with downdrafts and wind gusting to 30 knots.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause was controlled flight into terrain on final approach after the pilot misjudged distance and altitude.
Contributing Factors
The following contributing factors were reported: continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions, delayed initiation of go-around, downdrafts, snow, high obstructions, weather conditions below minimums, impact with steep bluff short of runway, and wind gusting to 30 knots.