What happened
During a scheduled sightseeing tour of southern Utah, a flight consisting of four aircraft was transporting passengers when the incident occurred. The aircraft was attempting to land at an airport characterized by a significant 1,000-foot cliff located approximately 400 feet from the runway terminus. According to local airport documentation, landing procedures required pilots to use the runway oriented toward the cliff, as the terrain prevented any possibility of a go-around once the cliff was approached. Additionally, takeoff procedures were mandated to be performed on the runway facing away from the obstacle.
During the final approach, the pilot encountered downdrafts and variable wind conditions. The aircraft experienced a hard touchdown and subsequently bounced during the landing flare. In response, the pilot attempted an immediate go-around and began a turn to transition to the opposite runway heading. During this maneuver, the aircraft failed to maintain adequate airspeed, leading to a stall/mush condition and a subsequent impact with the ground.
Findings
An investigation of the engine and airframe following the accident showed no signs of mechanical failure or malfunction that would have prevented the aircraft from operating normally. The primary factor in the loss of control was the loss of airspeed during the turn following the bounced landing.