Primary finding
Probable cause
Was the excessive airspeed during approach and the pilot's failure to execute a missed approach.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot attempted to execute a short field approach to a 900 foot long sandy, grass road. The pilot was unable to slow down the airplane on final approach. The pilot did not abort the approach and overran the threshold at the end of the road. The airplane nosed over after colliding with a dirt embankment coming to rest inverted.
Source record
Factual narrative
On July 4, 1994, at 0930 central daylight time, a Piper PA-12, N2986M, was substantially damaged during landing near Watson, Arkansas. The private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. According to the pilot, a short field approach was executed to a 900 foot "sandy grass private road strip" with tall trees at the departure end of the strip. The pilot further stated that the approach speed appeared to be faster than normal and he was unable to slow down the airplane while on final approach. The pilot added that he was not able to abort the landing, so he attempted to use maximum braking to avoid over running the end of the landing strip. The airplane overran the end of the strip and colliding with a dirt embankment. The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. -