Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to compensate for turbulent conditions, which resulted in a loss of altitude.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that he departed the airstrip, and the airplane experienced light turbulence. He entered a left traffic pattern to the downwind leg, and the turbulence stopped. After executing a touch-and-go landing, the pilot departed to the south. Subsequently, between 50 and 100 feet above ground level, the airplane began to lose lift. The pilot landed the airplane in a rice field, it nosed over as the wheels contacted the vegetation, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the forward fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot reported he departed the airstrip and experienced light turbulence. He entered a left traffic pattern to the downwind leg and the turbulence stopped. After executing a touch-and-go landing the pilot departed to the south. Subsequently, between 50 and 100 feet above ground level (AGL) he began to lose lift. The pilot landed the airplane in a rice field and it nosed over as the wheels contacted the vegetation. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.