Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s improper touchdown point and excessive airspeed during landing, which resulted in a runway overrun.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
Witnesses who spoke with the pilot immediately after the accident reported that he stated he approached the runway too high and too fast. The airplane overran the runway end and collided with blackberry bushes and a tree about 20-25 feet from the end of the runway. The firewall was substantially damaged.
Source record
Factual narrative
On December 4, 2009, about 1530 Pacific standard time (PST), a Stinson 108-3, N6649M, overran the end of the runway during landing, and collided with a tree at Borges-Clarksburg Airport (CN13), Clarksburg, California. The owner/pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The private pilot was not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. The cross-country personal flight departed Hayward, California, at an unknown time. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. Witnesses, who spoke with the pilot immediately after the accident, reported that he stated he approached the runway too high and too fast, overrunning the end and colliding with brush and a tree. The airplane came to rest about 20-25 feet beyond the runway. The airplane was subsequently moved to the ramp area. Post accident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed substantial damage to the airplane’s firewall. At the time of this report, the pilot had not submitted the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Form 6120.1, Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report, nor has the pilot responded to requests for information from the FAA.