Reply #33: First the disclaimer...I am not a pilot....I just have time around that community... [View All]

[catnhatnh]

And you have hit the nail on the head. At too low an altitude there is no correct answer, just an insuing crash.

I have tenatively identified the plane as N9299N which can be seen here.

http://www.pilotmarket.com/aircrafts/Aircraft_For_Sale/Single_Engine_Piston/Piper/Saratoga/listing-12862-43958613.html

Checking the net I see the plane rated to stall at about 57 knots indicated airspeed (about 65 mph) with flaps down. If on an instrument approach at a normal speed for this aircraft (90kias) and standard 3% glideslope the aircraft at 3 miles would be about 1400' altitude and less than 90 seconds from touching down.

Again I ask pilots here to backstop me and correct any errors...