Amateur-built KITFOX SERIES 7 N555HT accident near Lowville, New York

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain a proper airspeed during the approach to land, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that, during landing, about 5 ft off the ground, the left wing raised, and the right wing impacted the ground. Subsequently, the airplane twisted right and landed sideways on the left main landing gear.

The pilot further reported in a telephone conversation that, during the landing, the airplane got slow, there was a breeze from the left, and the airplane did not respond after he applied correction for lateral control.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage, and the elevator.

The pilot recommended that he should have had more speed or performed a go-around.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA18CA423 for the full record.