Amateur-built HB-1 N170HB accident near Canandaigua, New York

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to land beyond the marked runway threshold, which resulted in a collision with a culvert and a loss of control on the ground.

NTSB analysis

Due to the crosswind component, the pilot chose to land on an unpublished grass runway on the airport. According to the pilot, he approached the landing area low and slow without sufficient power to clear a culvert prior to the intended touchdown zone. The right landing gear impacted the culvert and the airplane departed the left side of the runway. The airplane came to rest after impacting a ditch to the left of the grass runway.

The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right side of the fuselage.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA15CA069 for the full record.