The pilot of the Murphy Moose reported that he had flown into the airport in Galt, Calif., previously but never in the Moose. While on final approach, he noticed power lines between his position and the runway, and he “pulled back” on the elevator control to overfly the power lines.
He continued the approach and landing, but in the flare, the airplane “dropped and bounced.”
When the plane was airborne after the bounce, he added power to initiate a go-around. However, the plane did not climb as expected, and he was experiencing directional control problems.
He reduced power, and landed the airplane in a field adjacent to the runway. During the rollout in the field, the pilot noticed a ditch about 5 to 10 feet wide ahead of him and added power to attempt to fly over the ditch, but the main gear hit on the far side of the ditch, damaging the landing gear and fuselage. The airplane slid to a stop.
The NTSB determined the probable cause of the accident as the pilot’s improper landing flare.
NTSB Identification: WPR13CA260
This June 2013 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.
The NTSB report should have read: “Cause of accident is pilot lacks a brain…..”
I never felt it made any difference whether there were airborne obstacles or not on final. Fly the plane,
add power for altitude not pitch input. Fly the plane, then go a round and survey what may have changed at the intended field. Fly the plane and consider a tough and go before committing to land.
Maybe talk to your instructor friends for assistance, too.
That’s all! Who signed this guy off for solo? He’s incompetent on so many levels it’s amazing he survived long enough to tear up this airplane.