What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2005-10-13 involved a Cessna 310R, registration N310SK, at Ottumwa, IA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot misjudged his altitude and airspeed while landing which resulted in the airplane stalling 20 feet above the runway. A factor associated with the accident was the pilot's execution of the approach when reported weather conditions were below the minimums required for the approach.

Airplane Stalls and Impacts Runway During Landing in Low Visibility (N310SK)

On October 13, 2005, a Cessna 310R (registration N310SK) was involved in an aviation accident near Ottumwa, IA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot misjudged his altitude and airspeed while landing which resulted in the airplane stalling 20 feet above the runway. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

An airplane stalled and struck the runway at 20 feet during an ILS approach in fog. The pilot diverted after a passenger fell ill. Weather at the airport was below ILS minimums, though the pilot reported conditions meeting them.

Incident Overview

An airplane stalled and impacted the runway while landing after the pilot diverted to a nearby airport due to an ill passenger. The pilot reported that while en route, a passenger stated he was ill, prompting contact with air traffic control and a diversion.

Approach and Landing

The pilot initiated an ILS approach and asked a pilot-rated passenger to "report the runway in sight." The passenger called attention to the runway ahead, and the pilot saw it and continued the descent. When over the runway at an altitude of 20 feet, the airplane stalled and impacted the runway.

Weather Conditions

The accident airport's weather conditions, reported 12 minutes after the accident, indicated visibility less than 1/4 mile with fog and a 100-foot indefinite ceiling. This information was being broadcast over the airport Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS). The ceiling and visibility had not changed during the period starting one hour before the accident to two hours after. The pilot reported the weather as 1/2 mile visibility with a 200-foot overcast ceiling. The minimums for the ILS approach were 1/2 mile visibility and a 200-foot ceiling.

Pilot Report

The pilot's account stated that he saw the runway ahead and continued the descent, but the airplane stalled at 20 feet. No additional details about the aircraft type, registration, or injuries were provided in the source.

2005-10-13: Cessna 310R (N310SK) — Ottumwa, IA