Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient airspeed on final approach to landing which resulted in an inadvertent stall.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that on final approach, the airplane was too low and too slow when it stalled and landed hard on the runway threshold. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the right wing and fuselage were structurally damaged. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR13CA367 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 11, 2013
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Hesperia, California
- Nearest airport
- Hesperia Airport (L26)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-24-250
- N-number
- N7720P
- 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.