Pilot Debrief

Beech C23 near Marble Canyon, AZ — 2008-03-14

Final reportLAX08CA075
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Date
2008-03-14
Location
Marble Canyon, AZ, USA
Airport
L41
Aircraft
Beech C23
Registration
N9374S
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions and failure to maintain an adequate airspeed during the flare. Contributing to the accident were wind gusts and a crosswind.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that after overflying the airport, he decided to land on runway 21. He extended the wing flaps to the 25-degree position during the approach to landing. The pilot observed that the wind sock was about halfway extended, and he estimated that the wind was from 270 degrees at 20 knots, with gusts to 25 knots. During the landing flare, the crosswind suddenly decreased in intensity, and the airplane impacted hard onto the runway's surface. Thereafter, the airplane veered right and exited the runway. Inspection of the airframe revealed that the nosewheel and the left main landing gear separated from the airframe, the windshield cracked, and the vertical stabilizer was bent. The pilot did not indicate that he had experienced any mechanical malfunction or abnormality with his airplane prior to the mishap.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

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