What happened
The pilot-in-command was attempting to land an aircraft in a field covered with one-foot-tall grass, located near a duck hunting shack. During the approach, the pilot realized he had overflown the intended landing area. He spotted two logs ahead and initially planned to land beyond them. However, he inadvertently landed between the two obstacles and struck the second log.
The impact caused significant damage to the aircraft. Despite striking the log, the pilot managed to keep the airplane airborne for a moment before it settled onto the ground. During the subsequent landing roll, the main landing gear collapsed under the stress of the impact and uneven terrain.
The investigation
Examination of the accident site and the aircraft revealed that the primary damage resulted from the direct contact with the log in the grassy field. The structural failure of the main landing gear was a consequence of the impact force rather than a pre-existing mechanical defect. No other mechanical failures were identified prior to the collision.
Findings
The accident sequence was initiated by the pilot's decision to land in an unprepared area with limited visibility due to the tall grass. The failure to accurately judge distance and terrain obstacles led to the collision. Contributing factors included the pilot's loss of situational awareness regarding the landing zone boundaries and the presence of hidden hazards in the vegetation.
Safety message
Pilots should exercise extreme caution when landing in unprepared fields, particularly those with tall grass that may obscure surface hazards such as logs, rocks, or ruts. Thorough visual inspection from altitude is essential to identify safe touchdown zones and avoid obstacles.