Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's misjudged landing flare which resulted in a stall and a subsequent impact with the runway.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
According to statements from controllers on duty in the air traffic control tower and other ground witnesses, the aircraft flared early and appeared to stall about 5 feet above the ground. The aircraft then impacted the runway on the left wing and nose wheel, damaging the firewall. The aircraft was examined by an FAA airworthiness inspector who reported that no mechanical discrepancies were found.
Source record
Factual narrative
On December 20, 1994, at 1712 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 150F, N6660F, collided with the runway while landing at the Carlsbad, California, airport. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot and was on a personal cross-country flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. Neither the certificated private pilot nor the one passenger on board were injured. The flight originated at Torrance, California, on the day of the accident about 1604 as a cross-country to Carlsbad, California. According to statements from controllers on duty in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) and other ground witnesses, the aircraft flared early and appeared to stall about 5 feet above the ground. The aircraft then impacted the runway on the left wing and nose wheel, damaging the firewall. The aircraft was examined by an FAA airworthiness inspector from the San Diego Flight Standards District Office. He reported that no mechanical discrepancies were found. -