Piper PA28-140, VH-RSL, Inverell NSW, 17 October 1988

The pilot reported that he was making a landing approach in strong and gusty crosswind conditions. There was considerable turbulence in the area. On very short final the aircraft encountered an updraft. The pilot reduced power almost to idle, and the aircraft then entered an area of strong sink and lost airspeed. Although substantial power was re-applied, the pilot said he was unable to prevent the aircraft from contacting the runway in a nose-low attitude. The nose gear collapsed and the aircraft slid to a halt on the runway.