What happened
During the transition from a base turn to final approach, the pilot encountered significant environmental challenges. The aircraft was pushed away from the runway centerline due to wind conditions. Specifically, the crew reported experiencing a windshear effect caused by the proximity of a nearby bluff.
As the aircraft drifted toward the right side of the runway, it began to descend at an accelerated rate. In an attempt to correct the high sink rate, the pilot increased engine power. Despite this adjustment, the right main landing gear made contact with a snowberm located at the edge of the runway. Following this impact, the aircraft traveled approximately 75 to 80 feet in a straight path before ultimately nosed over.
Findings
Investigation into the incident highlighted several contributing environmental factors:
- The presence of unfavorable wind conditions during the approach
- Encountering windshear near local terrain
- Obstruction from a snowbank on the runway periphery
Ultimately, the accident resulted from improper compensation for wind conditions during the flare and touchdown phase.