What happened
The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.
(-23) On February 9, 2008, at approximately 1815 CST, the pilot privacy data omitted was operating N26868, a Piper J3C-65, over a privately owned grass strip, Biggin Hill, approximately 8 miles northwest of Shallowater, Texas, and approximately one quarter mile east of us 84. The pilot stated he made a 90 degree right turn from base leg to final as he was attempting to land to the southeast. He was apparently too low, and he flew the airplane into the ground. The pilot also stated the engine was running normal, and no evidence of engine failure. The right wing tip struck the ground approximately 288 feet short of the runway. The aircraft came to rest about 108 feet short of the runway and was destroyed. The 82 year old pilot, who was the sole occupant, received a minor cut on his arm.
As the FAA filed it
(-23) ON FEBRUARY 9, 2008, AT APPROXIMATELY 1815 CST, THE PILOT ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ WAS OPERATING N26868, A PIPER J3C-65, OVER A PRIVATELY OWNED GRASS STRIP, BIGGIN HILL, APPROXIMATELY 8 MILES NORTHWEST OF SHALLOWATER, TEXAS, AND APPROXIMATELY ONE QUARTER MILE EAST OF US 84. THE PILOT STATED HE MADE A 90 DEGREE RIGHT TURN FROM BASE LEG TO FINAL AS HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND TO THE SOUTHEAST. HE WAS APPARENTLY TOO LOW, AND HE FLEW THE AIRPLANE INTO THE GROUND. THE PILOT ALSO STATED THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING NORMAL, AND NO EVIDENCE OF ENGINE FAILURE. THE RIGHT WING TIP STRUCK THE GROUND APPROXIMATELY 288 FEET SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST ABOUT 108 FEET SHORT OF THE RUNWAY AND WAS DESTROYED. THE 82 YEAR OLD PILOT, WHO WAS THE SOLE OCCUPANT, RECEIVED A MINOR CUT ON HIS ARM.
NTSB investigation
The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.