Pilot Debrief

FLEET FLEET 16B near Bayport, NY — 2012-08-18

Final reportERA12CA520
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Date
2012-08-18
Location
Bayport, NY, USA
Airport
23N
Aircraft
FLEET FLEET 16B
Registration
N343SF
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

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

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he returned to the departure airport after a brief local flight and entered the traffic pattern. While on final approach to the runway, he initiated a slip to the left to descend and increase his visibility of the runway. The pilot stated that during previous flights in the tailwheel-equipped biplane, after he exited the slip just before touchdown, the airplane would "float" down the runway in ground effect. However, when he exited 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 preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with 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."

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 6 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents6

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