NTSB Factual Report

On July 8, 2003, at 0750 mountain daylight time, a PZL Wilga 104-80, N214AL, operated by the pilot was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during final approach at a private dirt air strip near Santa Fe, New Mexico. The pilot, the sole occupant onboard, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan had been filed for the personal flight being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at 0700.

According to the accident report submitted by the pilot, on "approach to land, [the] airspeed went from 50 knots to 30 [knots]." The airplane began to descend rapidly. The pilot said he added "full power" but was not able to arrest the descent prior to impacting terrain. The airplane nosed over and slid approximately 100 feet before going down an embankment on the left side of the runway. The vertical stabilizer was bent, the horizontal stabilizer was severed, and the wings were wrinkled. An examination of the airplane's systems revealed no anomalies.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in a stall.