# NTSB CEN11LA352: Aero Commander 100-180, N4016X, Athens, OH, May 21, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 21, 2011, 15:45 local (19:45 UTC) - Place: Athens, OH - Coordinates: 39.211666, -82.229164 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2117&lon=-82.2292&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 22, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Columbus FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 79174 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11LA352 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/79174/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79174 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA352 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed in the flare which resulted in a stall and a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Aero Commander 100-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=0140208), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Aero Commander 100-180, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=0140208), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aero Commander 100-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=0140208), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Wing structure: trailing edge flaps](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035753): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Not used/operated; cases with it: [Aero Commander 100-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035753/cases.md?model=0140208), [All aircraft, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035753/cases.md) - [Landing gear system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Capability exceeded; cases with it: [Aero Commander 100-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200/cases.md?model=0140208), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200/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: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Aero Commander 100-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=0140208), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Aero Commander 100-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=0140208), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Aircraft structural failure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/337); cases with it: [Aero Commander 100-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/337/sequence.md?model=0140208), [All aircraft, 290 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/337/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he flew a stable approach and as he flared the airplane, a wind gust raised the nose and slowed the airplane. He added engine power, but the airplane descended and impacted the runway. The right main landing gear collapsed and the airplane skidded off the right side of the runway resulting in a collapsed nose gear and a propeller strike. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no preimpact mechanical anomalies, and substantial damage was noted to the firewall and fuselage. Witnesses reported that the airplane was on a high, steep, and fast approach before the landing flare and touchdown occurred near mid-field. The airplane appeared to "balloon" during the flare and stall prior to impact with the runway. ## Factual narrative On May 21, 2011, about 1545 eastern daylight time, an Aero Commander 100-180, N4016X, sustained substantial damage during a hard landing at the Ohio University Airport-Snyder Field (UNI), Athens, Ohio. The private pilot and three passengers were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The airplane departed from the Perry County Airport (I86), New Lexington, Ohio, about 1500. The pilot reported that the flight had proceeded normally to UNI. He entered the traffic pattern and established the airplane on final approach to runway 25 (5,600 feet by 100 feet, asphalt). He flew a stable approach and flared the airplane. He reported that as the airplane settled to the runway, a "wind gust raised the nose" and slowed the airplane. He added power but the airplane "dropped a short distance" to the runway. He reported that "the contact was not hard but resulted in a failure and collapse of the right main gear." The airplane skidded off the right side of the runway resulting in a collapsed nose gear and a propeller strike. The firewall and fuselage sustained substantial damage. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors examined the airplane on the ramp at UNI. The flight controls were checked and they exhibited continuity. The propeller tips were bent aft and exhibited scratches consistent with a ground strike while power was applied. The throttle, carburetor heat, and mixture controls were all full in. The lower firewall was bent. The right main landing gear was collapsed. The lower part of the right landing gear was bent outwards approximately 90 degrees to the upper part of the landing gear. The nose landing gear collapsed and was bent aft and to the left. The flaps were found in the fully retracted position. The FAA inspectors reported that witnesses stated that the airplane was on a high, steep, and fast approach path with the landing flare and touchdown occurring near mid-field. The airplane appeared to "balloon" during the flare. Two witnesses stated that the airplane looked like it stalled and dropped hard onto the runway. One witness took photographs of the airplane as it was landing. One photograph showed the airplane nearing mid-field with the flaps in the up position. The photograph of the airplane on the side of the runway also showed the flaps in the up position. The airplane's maximum gross weight was 2,475 pounds. The calculated weight of the accident airplane was about 2,345 pounds. The stall speed at maximum gross weight, flaps up, is 63 mph, with flaps down, 60 mph. The 1530 surface weather observation at UNI was: winds variable at 4 knots gusting to 7 knots; 10 miles visibility; clouds scattered at 4,600 feet; temperature 28 degrees Celsius; dew point 7 degrees Celsius; altimeter 30.00 inches of mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4016X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4016X-2012-05-02), registration cancelled 2012-05-02, S/N 5148, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AERO COMMANDER 100-180 - Registry model: [Aero Commander 100-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-100-180) (registry code 0140208) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 5148 - Airframe hours: 2169 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A2F 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Alder William D III - Registered owner: Alder William D III - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: I86, New Lexington, OH - Destination: UNI, Athens, OH - Airport: UNI, Ohio University Airport, runway 25, 5,600 × 100 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 10, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 178 total, 78 in this make and model, 119 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots, gusting 7 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: UNI ## 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 20110521009319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110521009319A), May 21, 2011: Aero Commander 100-180, Albany, OH, Substantial damage. On 05/21/2011 at about 1545 local time, an Aero Commander 100-180 "lark", N4016X, s/n 5148 departed the runway at Ohio University Snyder Field (uni) while… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 22, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79174. 7.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 511 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349165&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statement - 1 (item 2, .PDF, 27 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349167&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement%20-%201-Redacted.PDF - Weather Observations (item 3, .PDF, 24 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349168&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Observations-Master.PDF - Ohio State Police Report (item 4, .PDF, 193 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349171&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Ohio%20State%20Police%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Logbook Pages (item 5, .PDF, 371 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349172&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Logbook%20Pages-Master.PDF - FAA and OSP Photos (8 pages) (item 6, .PDF, 5.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349173&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20and%20OSP%20Photos%20(8%20pages)-Master.PDF - Photo 1: Airplane landing. (item 7, .PDF, 542 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349194&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Airplane%20landing.-Master.PDF - Photo 2: The airplane after the accident occurred. (item 8, .PDF, 544 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349196&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20The%20airplane%20after%20the%20accident%20occurred.%20-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.