Accident Details
On August 20, 2008, at 2015 central daylight time, an amateur-built NTBK LLC Wag Aero Sport Trainer, registration N141ST, struck scrub trees while landing on runway 15 at Green Castle Airport, a private airstrip in Oxford, Iowa. The personal flight was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Green Castle Airport at 1940.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The airplane was an amateur-built Wag Aero Sport Trainer owned by NTBK LLC. The pilot, a private pilot, reported that the total runway length is 4,800 feet, with the northern 1,400 feet being grass and the southern 2,400 feet being asphalt. He was practicing touch and go landings on the grass portion of the runway.
Sequence of Events
The pilot stated he had completed three touch and go landings and decided to make one more before it became too dark. During the final approach, the descent path appeared to be above low-lying trees. He did not realize he was too low until he felt a "sharp blow" to the airplane, after which the airplane rotated to the right and descended to the ground. The pilot noted that he should have recognized the landing approach was unsafe when the runway lights came on while he was on final approach, as he intended to land close to the trees.
Damage and Injuries
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and the firewall. The pilot reported minor injuries.