NTSB Factual Report

The 1,380-hour instrument rated private pilot reported that the airplane touched down short of the landing threshold for runway 36. The pilot further reported that after completing a local area flight, he returned to his home base airport for a full stop landing on runway 36. The pilot reported in the NTSB Form 6120.1 (Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report) that while on final approach to runway 36, a 3,500-foot long by 50-foot wide dry, asphalt runway, he "allowed the aircraft to become too low" and the airplane impacted the terrain approximately 30-feet short of the landing threshold for runway 36. The pilot added that there is a "substantial upslope to the runway which causes a significant 'ramp effect'." The ramp effect aided in making the airplane became airborne again and touched down on the runway, skidding another 300-feet before coming to rest. The pilot, who was the sole occupant of the single-engine light sport airplane, was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the main landing gear which was separated from the aircraft upon initial impact. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector that responded to the accident noted that the terrain on approach to the landing runway had a 30 percent upslope. The weather conditions at the time of the accident were light and variable winds, clear skies, and unlimited visibility.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's misjudgment of altitude and distance while landing, which resulted in an undershoot of the runway. A contributing factor was the rising terrain on approach to the runway.