Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain a stabilized approach, that resulted in a runway excursion and subsequent collision with trees. Contributing to the accident, was the pilot’s decision to attempt to land to a closed runway.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that he decided to utilize a known closed runway to land at the airport, due to the wind conditions. During the approach to the dry turf runway, he reported the airplane was “considerably too high and almost certainly too fast.” The pilot deployed full flaps, and the airplane started to descend “steeply” toward the end of the runway. When the airplane touched down on the runway, it bounced, and the airplane departed the runway straight ahead. The airplane crossed a road and impacted several trees next to a home. The airplane came to rest upright, and the pilot was able to egress from the airplane without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or the engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot further reported that during the approach, he should have performed a go-around and established a stabilized approach. According to the Federal Aviation Administration Airport/Facility Directory, the runway the pilot selected to use is not listed for use at the airport.