N53DA – SWEARINGEN SA227 TT – 2017-03-12 NTSB Accident Report

On March 12, 2017, a Swearingen SA227 TT (N53DA) was involved in an incident near Santa Monica, CA. 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 unstabilized approach after encountering wake turbulence, which resulted in a hard landing.

The pilot reported that, while on short final following a jet airplane, the airplane "encountered turbulence that induced significant rolling". He added that the airplane "was not able to completely re-establish a stabilized approach prior to touching down". Subsequently, the airplane touched down "more firm than usual". The pilot taxied the airplane to the ramp without further incident.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA17CA333. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N53DA.