N9374S

Substantial
None

Beech C23S/N: M-1672

Accident Details

Date
Friday, March 14, 2008
NTSB Number
LAX08CA075
Location
Marble Canyon, AZ
Event ID
20080401X00405
Coordinates
36.810832, -111.644447
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
4
Total Aboard
4

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions and failure to maintain an adequate airspeed during the flare. Contributing to the accident were wind gusts and a crosswind.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N9374S
Make
BEECH
Serial Number
M-1672
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1975
Model / ICAO
C23BE23
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
ARIZONA THUNDERBOLTS LLC
Address
27619 N 35TH AVE
Status
Deregistered
City
PHOENIX
State / Zip Code
AZ 85085-7615
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot reported that after overflying the airport, he decided to land on runway 21. He extended the wing flaps to the 25-degree position during the approach to landing. The pilot observed that the wind sock was about halfway extended, and he estimated that the wind was from 270 degrees at 20 knots, with gusts to 25 knots. During the landing flare, the crosswind suddenly decreased in intensity, and the airplane impacted hard onto the runway's surface. Thereafter, the airplane veered right and exited the runway. Inspection of the airframe revealed that the nose wheel and the left main landing gear separated from the airframe, the windshield cracked, and the vertical stabilizer was bent. The pilot did not indicate that he had experienced any mechanical malfunction or abnormality with his airplane prior to the mishap.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX08CA075