On April 2, 1998, at 1915 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-180, N44181, was substantially damaged while landing to Warren Airpark, Warren, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot received serious injuries and two passengers sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated from Tappahannock, Virginia, approximately 1835. No flight plan was filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated he did not experience any mechanical problems with the airplane. He also stated the airplane was on a stabilized approach at 50 feet, with full flaps and indicating 70 knots, when the airplane developed a "high sink rate." At 30 feet, the pilot tried to arrest the excessive rate of descent with power. The airplane struck a drop off on the approach end of Runway 24, shearing the landing gear before coming to rest upright 40 feet down the runway. A Federal Aviation Administration Inspector described the 15 foot drop, located 100 feet short of the landing threshold, as vertical.