Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a tree while on short final.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The private pilot was on the third leg of a cross-country flight when he lost his ground reference and became lost. He saw an airfield and decided to land and determine his location. While on short final approach, the airplane descended below a normal glideslope and the airplane's left main landing gear contacted a tree. The airplane's airspeed rapidly decayed and the airplane entered a stall, impacted terrain, and cartwheeled.
Source record
Factual narrative
The private pilot was on the third leg of a cross-country flight when he lost his ground reference and became lost. He saw an airfield and decided to land and determine where he was. While on short final approach, the airplane was allowed to descend below a normal glideslope and the airplane's left main landing gear contacted a tree. The airplane's airspeed rapidly decayed and the airplane entered a stall, impacted terrain, and cartwheeled.