Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain a proper descent rate, which resulted in a hard landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that, during landing on the dry lakebed, he was following a friend's airplane. During the right turn from base to final, his airplane was too close to the airplane ahead, so he decided to make a right turn and land in a clearing. The airplane landed hard and sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot reported that during landing on the dry lakebed, he was #2 to land following a friend's airplane. During the right turn from base to final, he recalled that he was too close to the airplane ahead and decided to make a right turn and land in a clearing. The airplane landed hard and sustained substantial damage to both wings, and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.