Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot’s unnecessary action during the approach, which resulted in a hard landing.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot reported that during landing, about 20ft above ground level and about 80kts, he reached for his iPad. He took his eyes off the runway to grab the device that was located on the seat next to him and the airplane collided with the ground, in a nose down attitude. The pilot reported that he should not have taken his eyes off the runway during landing.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower fuselage stringers, longerons, and formers.
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA18CA157