Aircraft Stall and Crash During Approach to Runway 30 (N41805)

Incident Overview and Pilot Account During the approach to the airport, the pilot was at 2,000 feet above the airport when the tower controller requested him to complete several turns to get on a downwind for runway 30. The pilot stated that he was attempting to expedite the landing due to an airplane waiting to takeoff. While low and turning final to line up with the runway, the pilot lost control and the aircraft stalled. The pilot later told an FAA inspector that his turn was wide when he attempted to salvage the landing. He also stated that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions to the airplane or any of its systems prior to the accident. ## Witness and Airport Manager Observations A witness reported that upon arriving at the airport, he saw the accident airplane gaining altitude. The aircraft banked left while still climbing, then appeared to stall at an altitude of about 400 feet and fell to the ground rapidly. The witness could not determine if the airplane was taking off or landing, although he did see it change direction 180 degrees. The airport manager stated that it appeared the airplane tried to turn around 180 degrees and went into a tail spin. ## Post-Crash Findings and Damage When the witness arrived at the accident site, the female passenger was walking around a bit disoriented, stating that the pilot picked the wrong runway. The responding FAA Inspector stated that the pilot was attempting an approach to runway 30. The right wing first contacted the ground, followed by the right main gear. The left main gear contacted at about the same time as the right main gear, and the nose gear collapsed. At this point, the propeller assembly struck the ground and departed the airplane. The airplane continued down the debris field on the left main gear, nose cowling, and right fuselage. A gap in the ground scars supported that the airplane may have bounced back in the air for approximately five or ten feet down the debris path. The left wingtip struck the ground 160 feet down the debris path. The flap position indicator was at 20 degrees and appeared to coincide with the indicator.