Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's inadequate visual lookout. Factors associated with the accident are a fence post, and the pilot's lack of familiarity with the geographic area (landing environment).
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported he was landing his tail wheel airplane at a friend's private, turf airstrip when the left wing of the airplane struck an unseen fence post. The pilot said this was his first landing at this airstrip, and he was unaware of the fence post.
Source record
Factual narrative
On June 3, 1994, about 1830 central daylight time, a Boeing A75N1 airplane, N9046Y, sustained substantial damage while landing at a private airstrip near New Paris, Indiana. The solo private pilot was not injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight departed Elkhart, Indiana, about 1800, in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The pilot reported he was landing at a friend's private airstrip for the first time. During the landing roll, the pilot said the left wing struck a fence post and caused damage to the spar. He said he was unaware of the fence post prior to hitting it. -