Probable cause
The pilot's misjudgment of the airplane's altitude during the final approach.
NTSB analysis
According to the pilot of the Nord Stampe SV4C, he made three successful landings at the 1,500-foot-long, 100-foot-wide grass airstrip. During the fourth landing attempt's final approach, the airplane's main landing gear became entangled in the last 20 to 25 feet of a 2-foot-high wheat field. The airplane then nosed over, and came to rest inverted on the runway. Neither the pilot nor the Federal Aviation Administration inspector on scene reported any preimpact mechanical anomalies with the airplane. The pilot also noted that he should not have tried to land so close to the approach end of the runway.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for NYC08CA227 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 21, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Taneytown, Maryland
- Nearest airport
- Greer (MD20)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Stampe SV4C
- N-number
- N97264
- Category
- Airplane
- 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.