Piper PA-18-150 N82398 accident near Eaton, New York

Probable cause

The pilot's improper approach to landing, which resulted in the airplane touching down short of the runway.

NTSB analysis

The pilot stated that he permitted the airplane to get low and slow during short final approach to the runway. He stated that he increased the engine power; however, the engine did not “seem” to immediately respond. Although the pilot tried to stretch the glide to reach the grass airstrip, the airplane skimmed the river water in front of the strip, and the airplane impacted an adjacent riverbank and came to rest inverted at the beginning of the grass strip, incurring substantial damage to the vertical empennage section. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

A review of the pilot’s certification showed that his last medical certificate was issued in February 2007, and was expired when the accident occurred.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA12CA311 for the full record.