25 May 2008: Piper PA-20 — Marcus M Henderson

25 May 2008: Piper PA-20 — Marcus M Henderson

No fatalities • Fields, OR, United States

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the approach. Contributing to the accident was a windshear.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

The private pilot reported that on final approach to the unimproved landing site, at about 50 feet above ground level, he detected a "sinking feeling," followed by a "drastic" loss of airspeed. The pilot stated that he applied full throttle in an attempt to go around, but the sinking continued and the airplane "pancaked" onto the ground. The pilot reported that he had not encountered any turbulence during the flight, but there were [rain] showers within approximately 10 miles of the landing site. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane at the time of the accident. The airplane received substantial damage to both main landing gear and the fuselage.

Contributing factors

  • factor Contributed to outcome
  • cause Pilot

Conditions

Weather
VMC, wind 050/10kt, vis 10sm

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