Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the pilot misjudged the landing flare, resulting in a hard landing, an inadvertent ground loop, and the subsequent impact with the runway.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On September 21, 2002, about 1100 eastern daylight time, an Aviat A-1, N1928J, operated by an individual and registered to TTT Ranch, ground looped and impacted with the runway after landing at Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station/Cunningham Field, Cherry Point, North Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane was substantially damaged. The private-rated pilot and one passenger reported no injuries. The flight had originated from Manteo, North Carolina, about 1000.
The pilot stated that he was landing on runway 32L, a 9,000-foot runway, and was the fourth airplane in a group of four other airplanes to land. He said he flared "slightly high" resulting in a "minor" bounce, the airplane ground looped, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing contacted the runway. The tower controller asked the pilot of N6QR if he needed assistances, and the pilot answered, "Yes we'll need assistance," to move the airplane.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# MIA02CA177