Light Sport Aircraft
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 30; Flight Crew Total 7500; Flight Crew Type 400
Human-Machine Interface; Situational Awareness
Ground Event / Encounter Ground Strike - Aircraft; Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control; Inflight Event / Encounter Unstabilized Approach; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged
ATC Equipment / Nav Facility / Buildings; Human Factors; Airport
While on landing approach to Runway 18; stabilized; on glide path according to VASI and AOA [Angle Of Attack] indication in the green I encountered a downdraft [which increased my] descent rate. I applied full power; but could not prevent an impact in front of the runway overrun. The right main gear departed and the nose-wheel collapsed. The airplane slowly nosed over and came to rest inverted. I opened the door and departed the airplane.I had received local WX information from a close by airport; which reported winds 080 to 270/7 G12 KTS; rolling out on final; I noticed a requirement for crosswind correction to the right. I used the low wing method to make sure; I had sufficient control reserve available.Local pilots explained to me; that the glideslope was set non standard to 3.7 degrees and the drop off in front of Runway 18; frequently produced downdrafts. I was looking for the windsock but did not see it on approach.
The pilot of a LSA CTSW failed to account for a steep VASI GS and the potential for downdrafts over the threshold of an elevated runway and was unable to recover from an increase of rate of descent nearing touchdown despite adding full power. The right main departed and the nose gear collapsed causing the aircraft to roll over and come to rest inverted. The reporter exited safely.