Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot misjudged his altitude and airspeed which resulted in a hard landing. Related factors were the soft, and upslope field.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
According to the faa, this was the pilot's first time landing on this soft, short, upslope field. The pilot stated that the winds were calm, and final approach was fairly steep. He stated that he flared at approximately 45 mph, but failed to arrest the high rate of descent. According to the pilot, the airplane's right main gear sank into the soft field and the aircraft nosed down for a moment then came to rest in an upright position. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction, and the accident could have been prevented if he had more airspeed and approached the upsloping field at a shallower angle.
Source record
Factual narrative
On June 18, 1994, at 0830 eastern daylight time, N2000U, a Taylorcraft F19, sustained substantial damage during landing at a private field at Swett's Pond, Orrington, Maine. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant was not injured. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The personal flight was operated under 14 CFR 91 and originated in Brewer, Maine. According to an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector, this was the pilot's first time landing at this field. The pilot reported that, "...final approach was over water, westbound, calm winds. Utilized fairly steep approach, cleared low bushes near shoreline, flared to land at approximately 45 mph, failed to arrest high rate of sink near stall speed (43mph). The airplane's right main gear sank into the soft field and the aircraft nosed over for a moment then came to rest in an upright position. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction, and the accident could have been prevented if he had more airspeed and approached the upsloping field at a shallower angle. -