On June 14, 2003, at 1430 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-18, N82946, sustained substantial damage after colliding with terrain short of runway 26 at the Silver City Airport, Silver City, Montana. The airplane is owned by the pilot, and was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) pleasure flight conducted under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91. The airline transport pilot and passenger of the two-seat aircraft were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight. The flight originated from Helena, Montana, approximately 15 minutes prior the accident. In a written report dated June 18, 2003, the pilot stated that the airplane encountered a strong gust of wind while on short final. The pilot applied power, however, the airplane contacted terrain short of the intended runway resulting in substantial damage.