What happened
The aircraft was engaged in a training maneuver involving short field landing techniques when it impacted an embankment situated just prior to the threshold of a sod runway. The incident occurred at a private airstrip where the pilot was attempting to touch down within a confined distance. As the airplane approached the end of the usable pavement, it struck the raised earth feature rather than settling onto the grass surface.
The investigation
Post-accident examination focused on the environmental conditions surrounding the runway threshold. Investigators noted that the grass area immediately preceding the paved or sodded section had not been mowed. This vegetation grew to a significant height, effectively concealing the topography of the ground beneath it. The unmowed grass created a visual barrier that altered the pilot's perception of the runway's elevation relative to the surrounding terrain.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to the accident was a misjudgment of the runway's vertical profile. The pilot reported that the long grass provided an optical illusion, making the threshold appear lower than its actual position. This visual distortion led to an incorrect assessment of the aircraft's altitude and glide path during the final approach phase. Consequently, the airplane descended too low relative to the concealed embankment, resulting in a premature impact with the ground feature before reaching the intended landing zone.