Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain a proper glidepath which resulted in collision with trees near the approach end of the runway.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
After a short local flight, the pilot returned to his personally owned airstrip for landing. The pilot set up the approach for a short field landing. On final approach, the pilot realized that he had selected an improper touchdown point which placed a group of trees in his flight path. The pilot attempted to fly over the trees and continue the landing. The airplane struck the trees and crashed on the runway. A post-impact fire occurred after the pilot exited the airplane.
Source record
Factual narrative
On November 14, 1993, at 1748 eastern standard time, a Maule Air M-7-235, N9226M, was substantially damaged following a collision with trees and terrain at a private airfield near Lake City, South Carolina. The commercial pilot received minor injuries in the accident. The aircraft was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed for the local personal flight. The pilot stated that he made his approach to the private airfield too low, and hit a group of trees on the approach end of the runway. The aircraft then impacted the runway and was substantially damaged. The pilot stated that after he exited the aircraft and was walking to his home to report the accident, the aircraft caught fire and was destroyed. -