Casualties unknown

CFI requests owner perform short field landing during biennial review; aircraft strikes terrain (N5279P)

Osage Beach, MO, US

On September 26, 1987, a Piper PA-24-250 (registration N5279P) was involved in an aviation accident near Osage Beach, MO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the short-field landing approach, which resulted in striking terrain 50 feet short of the runway. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

During a biennial flight review in crosswind conditions, a certified flight instructor requested the aircraft owner execute a short-field landing with full flaps. The aircraft struck terrain 50 feet before the runway and bounced onto the approach end.

What happened

The accident occurred while the pilot was acting as pilot in command during a biennial flight review. A certified flight instructor (CFI) was present and requested that the owner perform a short-field landing using full flaps under crosswind conditions.

During the approach, the aircraft struck terrain 50 feet short of the runway threshold. The impact caused the aircraft to bounce onto the approach end of the runway.

The investigation

The certified flight instructor involved in the incident had recently been issued his CFI certificate. At the time of the accident, he had accumulated only one hour of flight time in this specific aircraft type and a total of 247 hours of flight experience.

Findings

The primary factors contributing to the accident were the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the short-field landing approach and the crosswind conditions. The instructor's limited experience in the specific aircraft type may have contributed to the guidance provided.

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the short-field landing approach, which resulted in striking terrain 50 feet short of the runway.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X32170. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.