Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 10; Flight Crew Total 350; Flight Crew Type 180
Ground Event / Encounter Ground Strike - Aircraft; Ground Excursion Runway; Inflight Event / Encounter Unstabilized Approach; Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; General Maintenance Action
Airport; Weather
I approached Runway 10 at 20GA from the south; made a standard left pattern. Just prior to crossing the threshold; I noticed FOD in the runway from runoff. Extended beyond the FOD before setting up to land. Just prior to landing; the plane was hit with a strong crosswind that came over the trees; drove the plane left of center and over into the shoulder. I tried to recover; added power and was able to stabilize vertically but unable to stop the horizontal movement. The crosswind drove me towards the trees; I was forced to cut power and make a hard landing into an embankment. At this time; the plane has not been determined to have significant damage as defined by the FAA.  This is a private airport; overall in good condition. The west end of the runway is below grade and has trees on both sides with an embankment on the north side making crosswind landings challenging. Approaches from the east into Runway 28 is a little more open and at grade with the surrounding shoulder making recovery a little easier in a situation like this.
Pilot reported winds driving him off the runway heading; causing him to land on an embankment instead of the runway.