415-C/D N93415 incident near Xenia, Ohio

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain the proper glide slope during final approach, which resulted in an in-flight collision with a tree.

NTSB analysis

The pilot and passenger departed for a local flight that was to remain in the airport traffic pattern of the departure airport. The pilot stated that he climbed to pattern altitude and flew a normal downwind leg for runway 25. When he turned onto the final leg of the approach, the pilot was blinded by the sun and recognized that he was too low. He attempted a climb and felt the wing hit a tree about 100 feet from the runway approach end. He reentered the traffic pattern and landed on runway 25 without further incident. Damage to the airplane included a 2-3 inch dent in the left wing leading edge, with damage to the underlying ribs. The pilot and passenger were uninjured.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN10IA173 for the full record.