Probable cause
The pilot failed to maintain an adequate airspeed while on final approach and impacted terrain.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that he got too slow on final approach and was too low to the ground to recover and the airplane impacted wooded terrain short of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation and that it was strictly "pilot error".
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA20CA204 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 3, 2020
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- New Smyrna Beach, Florida
- Nearest airport
- New Smyrna Beach Muni (EVB)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 2
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Sonex SONEX
- N-number
- N187PB
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2018
- 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.