NTSB Factual Report

On April 19, 2003, approximately 1100 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140 single-engine airplane, N6268W, was substantially damaged during an undershoot and loss of control on landing at the Orofino Municipal Airport, Orofino, Idaho. The airplane was registered to a private individual and operated by the pilot. The student pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. The cross-country flight originated from the Lewiston-Nez Perce County Airport, Lewiston, Idaho, at 1000.

According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot reported that after setting up on a one-mile final for runway 27 (2,500' X 50'), "I realized I was a little low and slow on the glideslope and slowly started adding power." The pilot further stated that on a 1/4 mile final coming in over the river which borders the runway on the east, the aircraft lost lift and impacted the grassy approach area 50 feet short of the runway. The pilot also reported that the landing marks indicated the main gear touched down first, then the nose gear began collapsing on contact. The aircraft veered left across the end of the runway and onto a grassy area where it skidded for 100 yards before coming to rest in an upright position.

An FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, reported substantial damage to the firewall as a result of the nose gear collapsing rearward, a small dent in the leading edge of the right wing, and damage to both propeller blades, the result of a propeller strike.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's misjudgment of speed and distance resulting in a loss of airspeed, stall and undershoot of runway.