Cessna TR182 N5523T accident near Spotted Bear, Montana

Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the variable wind conditions and failure to maintain adequate airspeed during landing.

NTSB analysis

The pilot flew over the destination airport and observed the runway's windsock before initiating a normal approach for landing. On short final approach the airplane's rate of descent rapidly increased. Despite the pilot's application of engine power, the airplane impacted the runway hard in a nose-low attitude. The pilot reported that he subsequently observed that the wind had reversed direction. He opined that the airplane's loss of lift was related to his failure to adequately compensate for the variable wind condition. No mechanical failures or malfunctions were reported by the pilot.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for LAX08LA284 for the full record.