Probable cause
The commercial pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the approach which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of recent flight experience.
NTSB analysis
The commercial pilot was on final approach to landing on a 2,630 foot long by 30 foot wide asphalt runway with direct crosswinds at 15 knots, gusting to 21 knots. The airplane suddenly stalled and airplane crashed short of the threshold and bounced onto the runway causing substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage, and all three landing gear. The pilot reported that he had a total of eight hours in the same type or airplane, had flown a total on one hour in the past 90 days, and he had not completed flight review within the previous 24 calendar months. The two persons onboard reported they were not injured.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN09CA166 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Feb 7, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Terrell, Texas
- Nearest airport
- Airpark East Airport (1F7)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-28
- N-number
- N5303W
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.