Summary
On September 17, 2008, a Snelling Zodiac (N826W) was involved in an incident near Rexburg, ID. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The private pilot's excessive use of the flight controls and improper landing flair, which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent gear collapse.
The first pilot, a commercial pilot seated in the right seat, and the second pilot, a private pilot seated in the left seat, were landing on runway 19 as part of an instructional/transition flight in the amateur built experimental airplane. The first pilot/aircraft owner reported that the second pilot reduced engine power on short final and the aircraft's nose dropped. The second pilot pulled the stick back "too aggressively" and then forward and the airplane subsequently contacted the runway "quite hard." In response, the second pilot increased power and initiated a go-around. As the power increased the airplane’s nose pitched up and the second pilot "shoved" the stick forward. The airplane contacted the runway in a 30-40 degree nose down attitude.
This incident is documented in NTSB report SEA08CA203. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N826W.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The private pilot's excessive use of the flight controls and improper landing flair, which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent gear collapse.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The first pilot, a commercial pilot seated in the right seat, and the second pilot, a private pilot seated in the left seat, were landing on runway 19 as part of an instructional/transition flight in the amateur built experimental airplane. The first pilot/aircraft owner reported that the second pilot reduced engine power on short final and the aircraft's nose dropped. The second pilot pulled the stick back "too aggressively" and then forward and the airplane subsequently contacted the runway "quite hard." In response, the second pilot increased power and initiated a go-around. As the power increased the airplane’s nose pitched up and the second pilot "shoved" the stick forward. The airplane contacted the runway in a 30-40 degree nose down attitude. After contacting the runway, the airplane's nose and right main gear collapsed, which resulted in structural damage to the wing assembly and forward fuselage.
No preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane were reported.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# SEA08CA203