Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during approach in variable wind, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot of the special light sport weight shift aircraft stated that he was attempting to land at a private airstrip for a breakfast fly-in. The pilot had to perform two go-arounds due to other traffic in the airport traffic pattern. During the third attempt, while on final approach to runway 9, the pilot extended his glidepath due to another aircraft back-taxiing on the 3,415-foot-long turf runway. The pilot intended to land further down the runway; however, the airspeed decreased when he extended the glidepath. There was also a wind shift when the aircraft was about 15 feet above the runway, which caused it to stall and impact the runway. The aircraft subsequently came to rest inverted on the runway. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to both wings. The inspector did not observe any preimpact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any. The pilot added that the wind was variable at 9 knots, gusting to 12 knots. The recorded wind information at an airport located about 17 miles from the accident site was similar, indicating variable wind from 020 to 090 degrees at 8 knots.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot of the special light sport weight shift aircraft stated that he was attempting to land at a private airstrip for a breakfast fly-in. The pilot had to perform two go-arounds due to other traffic in the airport traffic pattern. During the third attempt, while on final approach to runway 9, the pilot extended his glidepath due to another aircraft back-taxiing on the 3,415-foot-long turf runway. The pilot intended to land further down the runway; however, the airspeed decreased when he extended the glidepath. There was also a wind shift when the aircraft was about 15 feet above the runway, which caused it to stall and impact the runway. The aircraft subsequently came to rest inverted on the runway. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to both wings. The inspector did not observe any preimpact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any. The pilot added that the wind was variable at 9 knots, gusting to 12 knots. The recorded wind information at an airport located about 17 miles from the accident site was similar, indicating variable wind from 020 to 090 degrees at 8 knots.