Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate air speed during final approach, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that during the final approach for landing he made engine power adjustments to correct the airplane’s altitude, and the airplane slowed too much near the runway threshold. The pilot added power, but the airplane stalled above the runway threshold, the nose dropped, the nose wheel impacted the runway, and the airplane flipped over into an inverted position. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wing, fuselage, and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.