Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's misjudgment of distance and altitude, while on final approach to land, and his failure to attain the proper touchdown point for landing. The unfavorable wind condition (crosswind) was a related factor.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot stated he misjudged the wind, turned base leg, and noted that the airplane was not going to reach the end of the runway. He said he tried to stretch his glide, but before he could add power to stop the rate of descent, the airplane collided with the ground. Subsequently, the landing gear sheared off, and the airplane nosed over.
Source record
Factual narrative
On January 27, 1996, about 1100 eastern standard time, a Gilpatrick experimental airplane, N26BG, registered to a private owner, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed on landing at a private airport in the vicinity of Deland, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot reported minor injuries. The flight originated from New Smyrna Beach, Florida, about 1 hour 30 minutes before the accident. The pilot stated he misjudged the wind, turned base leg and noted he could not make the end of the runway, and tried to stretch his glide. Before he could add power to stop the rate of descent the airplane collided with the ground, sheared off the landing gear, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. -