NTSB Factual Report

On April 26, 2003, at 1205 central daylight time, an amateur-built Walker Lancair IV, N7441W, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during an in-flight collision with runway 17 (3,184 feet by 45 feet, dry/asphalt) while landing at the Wamego Municipal Airport, Wamego, Kansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot and his passenger reported no injuries. The flight departed Clay Center Municipal Airport, Clay Center, Kansas, at 1145.

The pilot reported he was following another airplane on final approach to runway 17 and had to perform S-turns to increase spacing. The pilot stated the airplane impacted the runway while performing a S-turn maneuver. The pilot noted runway 17 was narrower than he was accustomed to. He stated the perceived aircraft altitude was higher than it actually was.

The pilot reported, on the NTSB accident form, there was no mechanical malfunction or failure.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot not maintaining altitude/clearance from the runway while maneuvering on final approach. A factor to the accident was the pilot's misjudgment of his altitude while on final approach.