What happened
A witness present at the airport observed the final moments of the flight. The observer noted that the pilot attempted to flare for landing approximately 10 feet above the runway threshold. Instead of settling smoothly, the aircraft stalled during this maneuver and struck the ground with significant force.
The investigation
Following the incident, investigators examined the airframe to assess the extent of the damage. The inspection revealed that the structural mounting bolts for the landing gear were elongated due to the impact. Additionally, both the engine mounts and the main wing spars were found to be bent.
The pilot provided a statement regarding the condition of the aircraft prior to the event. He reported that there were no known mechanical malfunctions or failures before the impact occurred.