This June 2007 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Aircraft: Piper Clipper.
Location: Esparto, Calif.
Injuries: None.
Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: The pilot was attempting to land at his private airstrip. The winds were gusty. He told investigators he misjudged the approach and the wheels hit a berm along an irrigation ditch. The impact sheared off the left landing gear. The airplane settled onto the runway on its left wing.
Probable cause: The pilot’s misjudgment of altitude, resulting in an undershoot.
