N108RS

On February 27, 1998, at 1735 central standard time (cst), a Cessna 402B, N108RS, piloted by a commercial pilot, was substantially damaged during a hard landing on runway 35 (6,501' X 150' ice coated asphalt) at the Mason City Municipal Airport, Mason City, Iowa. The 14 CR Part 91 positioning flight was operating on an IFR flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot reported minor injuries. The flight departed Denison, Iowa, at 1700 cst.

The pilot stated he landed the airplane "...on the left main tire first." He said the left tire rolled off the wheel's rim on touchdown. The pilot continued, "[The] nosewheel hit along with the right main collapsing both a nose wheel and right main. Airplane came to stop, just on the left side of runway."

During the telephone interview with the pilot it was revealed that runway 35 was ice covered. The pilot said he landed N108RS with a 10-knot, left quartering, tailwind. He said the airplane had about 3/8 to 1/2-inch of ice on its airframe. As the airplane exited the overcast at 600-feet above ground level, the pilot said it encountered freezing rain that was transitioning to snow.

The pilot said he had been using the airplane's alcohol windshield deice system to keep the windshield free of ice. He said that he had an opening about 8-inches by 11-inches to look through during the landing flare and touchdown. He said the airplane's left main landing gear tire "struck" the runway and rolled off the wheel's rim. He said the airplane yawed to the left as the nose gear and right main landing gear touched down followed by a collapse of both assemblies. The pilot said the airplane was in a "slight" crab at touchdown.