Pilot Debrief

CESSNA T210N near Watsonville, CA — 2017-09-15

Final reportWPR17LA204
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Date
2017-09-15
Location
Watsonville, CA, USA
Airport
WVI
Aircraft
CESSNA T210N
Registration
N5391A
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing and subsequent nose gear separation.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, during the landing, the airplane bounced and soon after he felt a "jerk and thump," and the propeller contacted the runway as the airplane slid across the runway with the nose down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the leading edge of the right horizontal stabilizer. Examination of the runway surface revealed markings consistent with a hard landing on the nose landing gear. The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. It is likely that the pilot failed to maintain a proper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing on the nose gear and its subsequent separation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have executed a go-around after the bounce.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents4

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