Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot’s steep approach, which resulted in a hard landing and the collapse of the landing gear during touchdown.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
According to the pilot in the retractable landing gear-equipped airplane, he set up for an extended final approach to the sandy turf runway. He waited until he cleared the trees, "then I dropped down to land." The main landing gear touched down first, followed by the nose landing gear. The main and nose landing gear collapsed upon contact with the runway. The pilot reported that the airplane slid about 300ft before it came to a stop on the right side of the runway.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, and the lower fuselage.
The Federal Aviation Administration, Aviation Safety Inspector that examined the airplane at the accident site, reported that witnesses had stated that the pilot landed hard on the sandy turf surface. However, the pilot stated that he did not. Nevertheless, the pilot did state that he really had to bring it in steep over the trees to get the airplane on the runway.
Photographs provided by the operator showed vertical deformation of both wings at the main landing gear mount location.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA18CA281