20020615013339A

(.19) On June 15, 2002, approximately 1600 pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-16, N5942H, impacted the terrain while attempting to land at Umpqua sky park, Umpqua, Oregon. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured, but the aircraft, which belonged to a friend of the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR part 91 personal pleasure flight, which departed george felt airport, Umpqua, Oregon, about 20 minutes prior to the accident, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed. There was no report of an ELT activation. According to the pilot, just as he was initiating the flare for landing at the 1,800 foot grass landing strip, he encountered unusual winds that caused the aircraft to suddenly yaw to the left. He therefore initiated a go-around, but the aircraft continued to sink toward the terrain. Although he had added full power, he was unable to keep the aircraft from colliding with the terrain near the approach end of the runway. (-23) a local pilot (steve trusdell privacy data omitted) said the wind direction can be different on either end of the 1800 foot strip due to the long draw s and hilly terrain surrounding the airstrip. Significant wind shear is not uncommon. The pilot privacy data omitted described his approach to 10-15 feet above the surface as uneventful at approximately 300 feet from the each approach end and 10-15 feet off the ground the aircraft yawed abruptly left at about 45 degrees off of landing directions. The aircraft's left wing impacted the ground, leaving the position light about 100 feet from the center of the strip. The impact line and scrape mark leading to the aircraft's final resting place were also about 45 degrees from landing direction. A pilot who had landed earlier confirmed the accident aircraft's flight profile. He said he saw the aircraft yaw to the left just prior to landing.