Accident Details
On the day of the accident, the pilot was landing at a large fly-in/airshow and following the airshow arrival procedures. While descending on the downwind leg for runway 27, a controller cleared the pilot to turn right onto the base leg abeam the runway numbers and land on the green dot, located about 2,500 ft from the runway's displaced threshold. Shortly after turning onto the base leg, the pilot observed an airplane taxi onto the runway and begin its takeoff roll. The controller then instructed the pilot to land on the orange dot, located about 1,000 ft from the displaced threshold, instead of the green dot. The pilot considered performing a go-around but decided to continue the approach.
Stall and Impact
As the pilot reduced power, the airplane entered a stall and impacted the runway in a right-wing-low, nose-down attitude. Witnesses estimated the bank angle before impact was greater than 60 degrees. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Video Analysis
Analysis of a video recording showed that the airplane was about 180 ft above ground level (agl) when turning onto the base leg, descending to about 140 ft agl during the turn. The airplane's total inertial speed decreased from 98 knots to 80 knots during the turn. During the last 8 seconds of flight, speed fell below 70 knots, and the airplane descended from about 130 ft agl to impact. The wings-level stall speed at maximum gross weight with landing gear and flaps down was 59 knots. In the same configuration at 60 degrees of bank, the stall speed was 86 knots, and would have been higher at bank angles greater than 60 degrees.
Separation and Workload
Reduced runway separation standards for airplanes were in effect due to the airshow. When the accident airplane reached the runway threshold, the minimum distance required between the arriving and departing airplane was 1,500 ft. Video analysis indicated it was likely that at least 1,500 ft of separation was maintained during the accident sequence. The departing airplane and the modified landing clearance during a period of typically high workload likely interfered with the pilot's ability to adequately monitor airspeed and altitude. As a result, the airplane entered an accelerated stall when the pilot turned at a steep bank angle and low airspeed in an attempt to make the landing spot, exceeding its critical angle of attack. At such a low altitude, recovery from the stall was not possible. Although the airshow arrival procedures stated that pilots have the option to go around, and the pilot considered it, he instead continued the unstable approach and lost control.