What happened
The pilot was conducting a dual instruction flight under conditions of strong, gusting winds. The weather data indicated a wind from 270 degrees at 8 to 12 knots, with gusts reaching up to 18 knots. As the aircraft approached the runway for landing on Runway 27, it was positioned on short final.
At an altitude of approximately 50 feet above ground level (AGL), the aircraft entered an approach stall. Despite the pilot's attempt to recover from the stall condition, the aircraft impacted the runway surface. Following the initial impact with the pavement, the aircraft continued its path and collided with a building owned by a Fixed Base Operator (FBO) before coming to a complete stop.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the flight dynamics leading up to the impact. Key factors included the wind conditions reported at the time of the accident and the altitude at which the stall occurred. The physical evidence confirmed the sequence of impacts, starting with the runway surface and ending with the FBO structure.
Findings
The primary factor in this accident was the loss of control due to an aerodynamic stall during a critical phase of flight. The approach stall occurred at a low altitude where recovery options were severely limited. The presence of gusty winds contributed to the difficulty in maintaining airspeed and configuration stability during the final approach segment. The collision with the FBO building was a direct consequence of the failed recovery from the stall.
Safety message
Pilots conducting training or dual instruction flights must remain vigilant regarding wind conditions, particularly gusts that can cause sudden fluctuations in airspeed. Maintaining adequate airspeed above the stall speed during final approach is critical, especially when operating in variable wind environments.