N173RS

On June 8, 1998, about 0806 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt Wittman Tailwind W10, N173RS, registered to a private individual, experienced collapse of the main landing gear and collision with bushes during landing at the Spruce Creek Airport, Daytona Beach, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private-rated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated about 15 minutes earlier.

The pilot stated that the airspeed on final approach was normal, and during short final with 1/2 flaps extended, the airplane descended rapidly and touched down collapsing the main landing gear and damaging the propeller. The airplane bounced and she applied power but the propeller had been damaged. Then, while airborne, the airplane collided with bushes off the left side of the runway. She further stated that there was no engine or airframe preimpact failure or malfunction and she had known about turbulence created by the wind and trees on the approach end of the runway. When responding in writing to how could this accident have been prevented she wrote, "extend landing point further down the runway-avoiding area known to have gust area."

According to the airport manager who examined the airplane and runway, the first point of impact on the runway was noted to be about 60 feet past the threshold. The airplane came to rest at a point about 150 feet past the runway threshold as measured down the runway centerline.