Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot allowed the speed of the airplane to get too slow, resulting in an inadvertent stall at too low an altitude to allow recovery.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot was attempting a short field approach and landing. On short final the airplane stalled, struck a fence, and a snowbank. The airplane then nosed over foreward and slid about 15 feet before coming to a full stop.
Source record
Factual narrative
On Monday, January 10, 1994, at about 1445 eastern standard time, a Piper PA18, N3999Z, piloted by Mr. David Preston, collided with a fence while landing at the Sullivan County Airport, Monticello, New York. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR 91. According to the pilot's statement on the NTSB Form 6120.1/2: ...flew to N37 [Monticello] and attempting short field approach. Aircraft stalled on final approach and struck fence and snow bank on runway 33. Aircraft flipped over forward and slid about 15' to full stop. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no discrepancies. -