Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to monitor his altitude while making a visual approach, which resulted in landing short of the runway and subsequent collision with terrain.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The private pilot was attempting to land his single-engine airplane on a private dirt strip when he got distracted by a cow that was adjacent to and moving toward the runway. Not paying attention to his glide path, the pilot made a lower than normal approach and landed short of the runway by about 5 to 10 feet. The airplane struck some rocks on a rise in the terrain and subsequently flipped over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the nose and vertical tail, and showed wrinkles to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane.
Source record
Factual narrative
The private pilot was attempting to land his single-engine airplane on a private dirt strip when he got distracted by a cow that was adjacent to and moving toward the runway. Not paying attention to his glide path, the pilot made a lower than normal approach and landed short of the runway by about 5 to 10 feet. The airplane struck some rocks on a rise in the terrain and subsequently flipped over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the nose and vertical tail, and showed wrinkles to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane.