N88466

On April 11, 2000, about 1800 Eastern Daylight Time, a Bellanca 7ECA, N88466, was substantially damage while landing at the Krastel Farms Airport, Kennedyville, Maryland. The certificated private pilot and pilot rated passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to a witness, the airplane flew down the runway about 500 feet agl, then turned downwind for what appeared to be a "normal landing." The witness watched the airplane turn base and then final. Once on final, the witness thought the airplane was going "too slow." At roughly the same time, the airplane stalled. With the engine running, the airplane impacted a plowed field approximately 100 feet short of the runway.

According to the pilot, he over flew the airport perpendicular to the runway, and then made a left turn to enter the traffic pattern. He turned base, and then final. During the turn to final, the pilot increased the angle of bank to line the airplane up with the runway, and to remain clear of some powerlines that ran parallel to it. During the turn, the airplane started a "slight buffet," and full power was "immediately applied." The flight controls softened, and the pilot sensed an approaching stall so he neutralized the controls. The pilot added that the airplane was full of fuel.