According to the pilot, he was returning to a drop zone after releasing some skydivers. On final approach to Runway 8, his airplane was gaining on a slower airplane. The pilot reduced power and raised the nose to reduce airspeed to 85 mph. The airplane was “low and slow” as he passed over a lake, so he added power but not soon enough. The airplane touched down on the lake shore short of the runway. The nose gear was torn off, both wings and wing struts were bent, the aft portion of the fuselage was buckled and the vertical stabilizer was crushed.
November 2, 2007, Boulder, Colo., Cessna TP206A
According to the pilot, he was returning to a drop zone after releasing some skydivers. On final approach to Runway 8, his airplane was gaining on a slower airplane. The pilot reduced power and raised the nose to reduce airspeed to 85 mph. The airplane was "low and slow" as he passed over a lake, so he added power but not soon enough. The airplane touched down on the lake shore short of the runway. The nose gear was torn off, both wings and wing struts were bent, the aft portion of the fuselage was buckled and the vertical stabilizer was crushed.
Key Takeaways:
- A pilot, returning from a skydive drop, was on final approach when he reduced power and airspeed to avoid a slower aircraft ahead.
- This maneuver caused the airplane to become "low and slow" while passing over a lake.
- Despite a late attempt to add power, the aircraft crashed on the lake shore, short of the runway, sustaining significant damage including a torn-off nose gear and buckled fuselage.
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