Accident Narrative
A student pilot flew to Greenwood Lake Airport to practice landings. According to the pilot, the aircraft was maneuvered to 2,500 feet to observe the windsock, which indicated a westerly wind favoring runway 24. The pilot then descended to 1,800 feet and entered a left downwind pattern for the runway.
On final approach, the pilot noted a slight wind from the 2:00 position and applied right aileron with left rudder for correction. The aircraft was configured with full flaps (30 degrees) and power at idle. The pilot began the flare approximately one-third of the way down the runway at an airspeed of about 60 knots.
During the flare, while at an estimated height of 5 to 10 feet above the runway, the right wing suddenly dropped. The pilot suspected the right wing tip may have contacted the ground. Full throttle and left aileron were applied, but the aircraft continued to bank to the right and climbed a few feet. The aircraft then turned approximately 180 degrees, at which point the pilot was able to level the wings. Subsequently, the nose dropped, and the aircraft struck the ground at approximately a 45-degree angle, with a slight left bank.
The airplane came to rest about 50 feet from the runway. The pilot stated that no mechanical malfunctions were observed.