# NTSB CEN11CA031: Beech A36, N4979M, Pagosa Springs, CO, October 14, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 14, 2010, 16:55 local (22:55 UTC) - Place: Pagosa Springs, CO - Coordinates: 37.284999, -107.053611 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2850&lon=-107.0536&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 16, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Denver FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 77649 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA031 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77649/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77649 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA031 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A36, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A36, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot; cases with it: [Beech A36, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech A36, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Beech A36, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Beech A36, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Beech A36, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338); cases with it: [Beech A36, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md) ## Analysis During the final approach to the runway, the pilot stated that he allowed the airplane to develop a high sink rate which he did not correct. The airplane touched down on the runway and bounced airborne twice. The nose gear fork then fractured and separated and the propeller struck the runway surface. The airplane received substantial damage to the forward fuselage. ## Factual narrative The private pilot was landing on a 8,100 foot long hard surface runway in dry conditions with clear skies and calm wind. During the final approach to the runway, the pilot stated that he allowed the airplane to develop a high sink rate which he did not correct. The airplane “hit the runway and porpoised twice”. The nose-gear fork then fractured and separated, and the propeller struck the runway surface. The airplane received substantial damage to the forward fuselage and nose-gear. The pilot and passenger were not injured. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4979M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4979M), registered now, S/N E-1281, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH A36 - Registry model: [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (registry code 1151604) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: E-1281 - Airframe hours: 5620 - Engines: Continental IO-550-BB 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Eric W Lager - Registered owner: Eric W Lager - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2009, 45 hours before - Departed: GCK, Garden City, KS - Destination: PSO, Pagosa Springs, CO - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: PSO, Stevens Field Airport, runway 19, 8,100 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 86; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 19, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 8,500 total, 8,000 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.43 inHg - Observed at: PSO ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20101014047629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20101014047629A), Oct 14, 2010: Beech A36, Pagosa Springs, CO, Substantial damage. On 10/14/2010 at approximately 1705 LCL N4979M, a Beech A36, susstained substantial damage while landing at Pagosa Springs, CO (kpso). Two persons and one dog… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 18, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77649. 29 KB in all. - Pilot Interview (item 1, .PDF, 29 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40338350&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Interview-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.