Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while landing, resulting in an aerodynamic stall.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
While entering the traffic pattern, the pilot was unable to locate the runway and was assisted by tower personnel. The pilot later told a Federal Aviation Administration inspector that while on final approach he was high and that his airspeed was ten miles per hour (mph) slower than the normal approach speed of eighty mph. During the landing the airplane stalled, struck on the nosewheel, and bounced twice into the air. The pilot added power in an attempt to go around, but the airplane impacted the runway, causing the left main landing gear to collapse. The airplane departed the left side of the runway and came to rest approximately one hundred yards to the east. The pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was uninjured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the tail section, both main landing gear, and the left wing tip. At the time of the accident, the pilot had flown approximately ten hours that day.
Source record
Factual narrative
While entering the traffic pattern, the pilot was unable to locate the runway and was assisted by tower personnel. The pilot later told an FAA inspector that while on final approach he was high and that his airspeed was ten miles per hour (mph) slower than the normal approach speed of eighty mph. During the landing the airplane stalled, struck on the nose wheel, and bounced twice into the air. The pilot added power in an attempt to go around, but the airplane impacted on the runway, causing the left main landing gear to collapse. The airplane departed the left side of the runway and came to rest approximately one hundred yards to the east. The pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was uninjured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the tail section, both main landing gear, and the left wingtip. At the time of the accident, the pilot had flown approximately ten hours that day.