Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during approach to land resulting in a stall.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot departed from a private field and flew in the local area for approximately one hour. As he returned to the field for landing, he flew "right above stall speed" on final approach. The pilot reported that he "neglected to monitor [the airplane's] airspeed" and the airplane stalled during the landing flare. The airplane then dropped suddenly and impacted the ground just prior to the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to its fuselage, and no mechanical anomalies were identified.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot departed from a private field and flew in the local area for approximately one hour. As he returned to the field for landing, he flew "right above stall speed" on final approach. The pilot reported he "neglected to monitor [the airplane's] airspeed" and the airplane stalled during the landing flare. The airplane then dropped suddenly and impacted the ground just prior to the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to its fuselage, and no mechanical anomalies were identified.