Summary
On October 14, 2010, a Beech A36 (N4979M) was involved in an incident near Pagosa Springs, CO. 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 pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
The private pilot was landing on a 8,100 foot long hard surface runway in dry conditions with clear skies and calm wind. During the final approach to the runway, the pilot stated that he allowed the airplane to develop a high sink rate which he did not correct. The airplane “hit the runway and porpoised twice”. The nose-gear fork then fractured and separated, and the propeller struck the runway surface. The airplane received substantial damage to the forward fuselage and nose-gear. The pilot and passenger were not injured.
This incident is documented in NTSB report CEN11CA031. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N4979M.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The private pilot was landing on a 8,100 foot long hard surface runway in dry conditions with clear skies and calm wind. During the final approach to the runway, the pilot stated that he allowed the airplane to develop a high sink rate which he did not correct. The airplane “hit the runway and porpoised twice”. The nose-gear fork then fractured and separated, and the propeller struck the runway surface. The airplane received substantial damage to the forward fuselage and nose-gear. The pilot and passenger were not injured.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN11CA031