Summary
On July 24, 2007, a Marcellus Starduster SA-300 (N2498) was involved in an incident near Columbia, IL. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent left main landing gear collapse.
The experimental amateur-built airplane was substantially damaged when the left main landing gear collapsed during landing. The pilot stated that on short final for runway 21 (2,450 feet by 150 feet, turf) the airplane's sink rate was "higher than it should have been" and that he "did not correct it soon enough." The airplane landed hard, the pilot felt something "give" on the left side, and the left main landing gear collapsed. The pilot stated that the airplane then "swerved to the left" but he was able to stop the airplane on the runway. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the airplane.
This incident is documented in NTSB report CHI07CA242. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N2498.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent left main landing gear collapse.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The experimental amateur-built airplane was substantially damaged when the left main landing gear collapsed during landing. The pilot stated that on short final for runway 21 (2,450 feet by 150 feet, turf) the airplane's sink rate was "higher than it should have been" and that he "did not correct it soon enough." The airplane landed hard, the pilot felt something "give" on the left side, and the left main landing gear collapsed. The pilot stated that the airplane then "swerved to the left" but he was able to stop the airplane on the runway. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with 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# CHI07CA242