Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control of the airplane during an aborted landing, resulting in a runway excursion and collision with terrain.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that during the landing flare, about 5 ft above ground level (agl), the airplane experienced an aerodynamic stall resulting in a bounced landing. He was concerned about a runway excursion, so he elected to abort the landing. The airplane was slow and remained in ground effect, at a height of about 5 ft agl. The pilot described that he then applied improper elevator and rudder inputs, which resulted in the airplane yawing and rolling to the left. The left main landing gear then contacted a drainage ditch on the left side of the runway and resulted in substantial damage to the lower fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.