What happened
During a scheduled revenue flight conducted in instrument meteorological conditions, a pilot was transporting six passengers when the aircraft encountered significant weather changes. The flight was performing an ILS approach to a destination runway that was 498 feet shorter than the minimum length required by the operator's policies regarding tailwind components. While the pilot had previously verified that wind conditions were within company limits, the tailwind increased to between 1 and 7 knots as the aircraft approached the final-approach-fix.
As the aircraft neared the ground, the pilot reported encountering a strong downdraft at an altitude of approximately 50 to 100 feet. This caused the approach to become unstabilized, prompting an immediate go-around attempt. Although the pilot reported the aircraft briefly left the ground, surveillance footage from the airport indicated that the aircraft type actually made a landing approximately 500 feet from the start of the runway. During this period of heavy rain, the aircraft rolled down the runway for roughly 21 seconds before lifting off again.
Following the second takeoff attempt, the aircraft entered a shallow climb and struck trees at the end of the runway, subsequently catching fire. The accident resulted in seven serious injuries and the total destruction of the aircraft.
Findings
Analysis of the event suggests that the tailwind component exceeded the operator's 5-knot limit for runways of that specific length between the time the aircraft crossed the final-approach-fix and the moment of touchdown. The increase in tailwind strength and the encounter with a downdraft contributed to the unstable approach and the subsequent failure to maintain a positive rate of climb during the go-around.