Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's misjudgment of altitude. Contributing factors in this accident were the pilot's intentional low airspeed, his failure to execute a go-around, and the soft terrain.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
According to the pilot, he was returning to 1V5 after releasing some skydivers. He was following a training airplane in the traffic pattern and was gaining on it, so he decided to extend his downwind leg. On final approach to runway 08, his airplane was still gaining on the other airplane. The pilot reduced power and raised the nose to reduce airspeed to 85 mph. The airplane was "low and slow" as he passed over a lake, so he added power but not soon enough. The airplane touched down on the sandy shore of the lake short of the runway. The nose gear was torn off and the airplane nosed over. Both wings and wing struts were bent, the aft portion of the fuselage was buckled, and the vertical stabilizer were crushed.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# DEN08CA023