NYC03LA050

The airplane was on final approach to runway 21, a 2,150-foot-long, asphalt runway. The pilot reported he experienced a "sudden severe downdraft" just before touchdown and the airplane contacted the ground about 50 feet prior to the runway threshold. A portion of the nose gear separated, the propeller struck the ground, and the airplane slid about 100 feet, before it came to rest on the runway. Winds reported at an airport about 18 miles north-northeast of the accident site, were from 260 degrees at 12 knots, with 20-knot gusts.

On February 9, 2003, about 1415 eastern standard time, a Cessna 182R, N3338R, was substantially damaged while landing at the Warwick Municipal Airport (N72), Warwick, New York. The certificated commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight that departed Greenwood Lake Airport, West Milford, New Jersey. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot reported he entered the traffic pattern for runway 21, a 2,150-foot-long, asphalt runway. On final approach, he applied full flaps and maintained an airspeed between 65 and 70 knots. Just before touchdown, the airplane experienced a "sudden severe downdraft," and the nose landing gear struck an airport light and snow bank prior to the runway threshold. A portion of the nose gear separated, the propeller struck the ground, and the airplane slid about 100 feet, before it came to rest on the runway.

The pilot did not report any mechanical problems.

Examination of the accident site by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed the airplane contacted the ground about 50 feet prior to the runway threshold. Additionally, the terrain leading to runway sloped upward slightly.

Winds reported at an airport about 18 miles north-northeast of Warwick, at 1445, were from 260 degrees at 12 knots, with 20-knot gusts.