Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents

The pilot was landing the airplane on runway 32 (3,305 feet by 50 feet, dry, asphalt). As the airplane crossed over the runway threshold, the pilot heard a warning for wind shear over the UNICOM. The pilot reported the "wind changed to a tailwind which caused us to float down the runway and [the pilot] had difficulty getting the airplane down." The airplane departed the end of the runway and impacted terrain. During the excursion, the nose landing gear separated from the airframe, and the airplane came to rest upright. Winds at the time of the accident were reported as variable and gusty. An examination of the airplane revealed the firewall was bent. The pilot sustained minor injuries and the two passengers were not injured. The pilot's failure to go around when it became apparent that he could not land and stop the airplane on the remaining runway. Factors contributing to the accident were the tailwind and the gusts.