Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's improper flare which resulted in a hard landing, collapse of the main gear, and inflight collision with the ground.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot was attempting to land on the grass beside runway 01. The airplane landed hard, bounced, collapsed the main landing gear, impacted the ground nose first. The pilot was injured during the impact sequence when his head struck the canopy. According to the faa, rescue personnel, reported that when they arrived at the crash site, the pilot was not buckled to the seat, and was sitting on the seat belts.
Source record
Factual narrative
On November 13, 1994, at 1539 eastern standard time, a Pazmany PL-4A, N337RL, an experimental airplane, owned and piloted by Robert W. Lee, was substantially damaged during a landing at the Orange Airport, Orange, Massachusetts. The pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight was operated under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot was attempting to land on the grass beside Runway 01. The airplane landed hard, bounced, collapsed the main landing gear, and impacted the ground nose first. The pilot was injured during the impact sequence when his head struck the canopy. According to the FAA, rescue personnel, reported that when they arrived at the crash site, the pilot was not buckled to the seat, and was sitting on the seat belts. The pilot survived the accident but died of his injuries on November 19, 1994. -