Event WPR13CA280

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to practice landings with a certified flight instructor at various back country airstrips. After three uneventful landings, the pilot circled over a fourth landing strip and noted that she needed to maintain the airplane’s minimum approach airspeed to be able to land on the short runway; she then entered the traffic pattern. While on short final, about 25 feet above the ground, the airplane stalled and started to descend. The pilot added power; however, the airplane subsequently landed hard and sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to practice landings with a certified flight instructor at various back country airstrips. After three uneventful landings, the pilot circled over a fourth landing strip and noted that she needed to maintain the airplane’s minimum approach airspeed to be able to land on the short runway; she then entered the traffic pattern. While on short final, about 25 feet above the ground, the airplane stalled and started to descend. The pilot added power; however, the airplane subsequently landed hard and sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).

• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Airspeed-Not attained/maintained - C