N343SF

Substantial
None

FLEET FLEET 16BS/N: 343

Accident Details

Date
Saturday, August 18, 2012
NTSB Number
ERA12CA520
Location
Bayport, NY
Event ID
20120821X34711
Coordinates
40.756111, -73.051940
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
2
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
FLEET
Serial Number
343
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1940
Model / ICAO
FLEET 16BFINC
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
2
FAA Model
FLEET 16B

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
MARTIN STEPHEN S
Address
12 WINDHAM DR
City
HUNTINGTON STATION
State / Zip Code
NY 11746-4545
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot reported that following a brief local flight, he returned to the departure airport and entered the traffic pattern. While on final approach to the runway, he initiated a slip to the left in order to descend and increase the visibility of the runway. The pilot stated that during previous flights in the tailwheel-equipped biplane, after exiting the slip just prior to touchdown, the airplane's airspeed would increase, and it would "float" down the runway; however, upon exiting the slip during the accident flight the rate of descent remained constant, and the airplane's contact with the runway was "fairly severe." The landing gear subsequently collapsed, and the airplane departed the right side of the runway and nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the right upper wing. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation, and that the accident could have been prevented by a "quicker reaction" and "increasing [engine] power to arrest descent rate."

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA12CA520