CEN21LA333

Factual narrative

The pilot of the biplane reported that while on the final approach for the grass runway, he was maneuvering the airplane for landing to touchdown at the runway threshold markers. The airplane impacted an unmarked gray metal chain-link fence, about 8 ft tall, located about 250 ft from the runway threshold markers. The pilot reported the “fence blended in pretty well with the grass.” The airplane came to rest inverted on the runway and sustained substantial damage to both wings and the empennage. The pilot stated that the visibility at the time of the accident was “good,” and the lighting was “a little unusual from all the fires out west and I never saw the fence.” The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe and the engine that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• — Personnel issues-Psychological-Attention/monitoring-Monitoring environment-Pilot
• — Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Altitude-Not attained/maintained
• — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Wire-Awareness of condition