NTSB Factual Report

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who interviewed the pilot, the pilot was performing a landing to runway 18 (4,340 feet by 37 feet, asphalt) when the accident occurred. The pilot reported that during the landing the airplane bounced. He was able to add power, level off, and during the flare the elevator lost authority sooner than anticipated and the airplane impacted hard a second time. The airplane veered off to the right side of the runway, impacted a drainage ditch, and came to rest inverted. The forward spar on the right wing was bent and the vertical stabilizer was crushed down. The pilot did not report any mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing and loss of directional control.