N260M

Substantial
Serious

Aero Commander 200DS/N: 298

Accident Details

Date
Thursday, July 31, 2008
NTSB Number
CHI08CA225
Location
Tecumseh, MI
Event ID
20080902X01357
Coordinates
42.025001, -83.939163
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
1
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot flaring too high, and his inadvertent pilot-induced oscillation during the landing flare/touchdown. Contributing to the accident was the collapse of the nose landing gear.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
AERO COMMANDER
Serial Number
298
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Model / ICAO
200DDH8B
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
4
FAA Model
200D

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
SMITH DAVID W
Address
16089 78TH AVE
City
MILACA
State / Zip Code
MN 56353-3505
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot reported that the landing approach was uneventful up to the flare and touchdown. He increased engine power just prior to landing because he thought the airplane was slow. He rounded-out and flared higher than normal, and then the airplane "hit hard" on all three landing gear. The airplane began to porpoise between the nose and main landing gear, but eventually settled onto all three landing gear. The airplane then made an uncommanded left swerve that the pilot was unable to counteract. The nose landing gear separated from the airplane when the airplane nose impacted a non-breakaway steel runway light. The airplane then nosed over in the grass easement off the left side of the runway. The cabin roof, engine firewall, rudder, and vertical stabilizer were substantially damaged. The pilot was seriously injured with a broken neck. The airplane was not equipped with shoulder harnesses.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CHI08CA225