Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain a proper glidepath during approach. Factors which contributed to the accident were: the pilot's motion sickness and the effect of the over-the-counter medication on his piloting performance.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot was on a round-robin solo cross-country flight from st. Louis to potosi, bonne terre, and return. During the return trip to st. Louis the pilot became motion-sick and diverted to the nearest airport - festus - for a precautionary landing. The airplane landed 250 ft short of the runway, about 40 ft below the crest of the hill where the runway is located. The pilot stated that he had taken an over-the-counter motion-sickness tablet (50 mg dimenhydrinate) prior to his departure from st. Louis; an elapsed flight time of about 2.1 hrs. The label of the medication stated it could cause marked drowsiness, and bore a caution against driving or operating machinery.
Source record
Factual narrative
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