What happened
The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.
(-23) Departed anaconda, mt (3U3) at 0700 MDT on a VFR flight to Johnson Creek Airport, ID (3U2). While on short final approach to runway 17 at Johnson Creek apt, the pilot experienced a severe down draft just short of the approach end of the runway. The aircraft struck the ground very hard causing substantial damage to the aircraft including, the left main landing gear, the nose gear, the propeller, the fuselage and the horizontal stabilizer.
As the FAA filed it
(-23) DEPARTED ANACONDA, MT (3U3) AT 0700 MDT ON A VFR FLIGHT TO JOHNSON CREEK AIRPORT, ID (3U2). WHILE ON SHORT FINAL APPROACH TO RUNWAY 17 AT JOHNSON CREEK APT, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A SEVERE DOWN DRAFT JUST SHORT OF THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE GROUND VERY HARD CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT INCLUDING, THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR, THE NOSE GEAR, THE PROPELLER, THE FUSELAGE AND THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER.
NTSB investigation
The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.