What happened
The pilot was conducting a non-precision approach when the aircraft crossed over the extended centerline of the intended runway. To correct the alignment, the pilot initiated a 180-degree turn to land on the reciprocal runway. During this maneuver, the aircraft overshot the extended centerline again. While attempting to maneuver back toward the runway centerline, the airplane stalled at a low altitude just above the ground and impacted the terrain. The aircraft came to rest in a water drainage ditch. Following the accident, the pilot reported that airspeed was approximately 80 knots but noted it was decreasing due to the stall.
The investigation
Post-accident examination revealed no evidence of mechanical failure or system malfunction that would have precluded normal operation. The primary focus remained on the flight dynamics during the low-altitude maneuvering phase.
Findings
The stall occurred during a critical phase of flight at low altitude and airspeed. Contributing factors included the pilot's decision to execute a reciprocal landing without sufficient margin for error and the subsequent loss of control while attempting to realign with the runway centerline. The impact with terrain was direct and immediate following the stall.
Safety message
Pilots should exercise extreme caution when executing reciprocal approaches, particularly during non-precision operations. Maintaining adequate airspeed and altitude margins is essential to avoid stalls during low-altitude maneuvering.