# NTSB CEN12CA263: Campbell David Legacy, N12KX, Durango, CO, May 1, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 1, 2012, 12:35 local (18:35 UTC) - Place: Durango, CO - Coordinates: 37.203056, -107.869163 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2031&lon=-107.8692&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 June 28, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 83520 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA263 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83520/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83520 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA263 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper flare and subsequent aerodynamic stall, which resulted in a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Campbell David LEGACY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=0561749), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Campbell David LEGACY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=0561749), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Campbell David LEGACY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0561749), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Campbell David LEGACY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=0561749), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Campbell David LEGACY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=0561749), [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: [Campbell David LEGACY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=0561749), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Post-impact: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Campbell David LEGACY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=0561749), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he lowered the landing gear and set the flaps to 30-degrees while on the downwind leg to the runway. He added that, as he lined up the airplane on final approach, the airplane drifted to the right. After the airplane crossed the beginning of the runway, the drift increased, and the pilot tried to correct back to the runway centerline. The pilot further stated that the airspeed decreased and the airplane “stalled between five and ten feet above the runway”. The airplane landed hard, slid off the runway onto a glass slope, and came to rest in an upright position. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the fuselage, including separation of the empennage section, forward of the vertical stabilizer. ## Factual narrative The pilot and passenger arrived at their destination airport after a cross-country flight. The pilot reported he lowered the landing gear and flaps to 30-degrees while on the downwind leg to the runway. He added that as he lined up for the runway, the airplane drifted to the right, indicating a strong wind from the west. After the airplane crossed the beginning of the runway, the drift increased and the pilot tried to correct back to the runway centerline. The pilot further stated that apparently the airspeed decreased and the airplane “stalled between five and ten feet above the runway”. The airplane landed hard, slid off the runway onto a glass slope, and came to rest in an upright position. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the fuselage, including separation of the empennage section, forward of the vertical stabilizer. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N12KX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N12KX-2018-01-11), registration cancelled 2018-01-11, S/N 130, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CAMPBELL DAVID LEGACY - Registry model: [Campbell David LEGACY](https://openairdocs.org/model/campbell-david-legacy) (registry code 0561749) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 130 - Engines: AMA/EXPR UNKNOWN ENG reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Forever And Always LLC - Registered owner: Forever And Always LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: Prescott, AZ - Destination: 00C, Durango, CO - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: 00C, Animas Air Park, runway 01, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 7, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 758 total, 187 in this make and model, 607 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 9 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: KDRO, 6 nm away ## 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 20120501006879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120501006879A), May 1, 2012: Campbell David LEGACY, Durango, CO, Substantial damage. When coming in for a landing, pilot stated he rounded out high and dropped it on to the runway (5-10 feet). Aircraft tail broke apart in 3 places aft of aft… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 15, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83520. 3.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40367751&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 127 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40367759&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Photo: Accident airplane pilot/owner photo (item 3, .PDF, 656 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40367758&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%3A%20Accident%20airplane%20%20%20%20%20%20%20pilot%2Fowner%20photo-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.