CHI00LA222

The left wing impacted the runway during flare/touchdown. The EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2000 Air Show was being held, and the Special Air Traffic Management landing instructions, which had been issued in a NOTAM, were in effect during the time of the accident. The Bonanza had made a right downwind pattern and was landing at the 'Green Spot' located 3,000 feet from the runway threshold on the right side of runway 27. Another airplane, a Velocity (N126EE), was behind the Bonanza on final approach, and was instructed to land on the 'Orange Spot,' located 1,500 feet from the runway threshold on the left side of runway 27. The pilot of the Bonanza reported that, 'When I saw the other aircraft next to me suddenly on my left I veered to the right to avoid contact with it. My plane went to the right and then I turned to the left to stay on the runway. My left wingtip contacted the runway.' The pilot of the Velocity reported that he landed near the orange spot and taxied left onto the sod infield as soon as it was safe to do so. He reported that he maintained separation with the Bonanza during rollout. The reduced arrival and departure separation standards were in effect and the instructions informed the pilots they could expect to land on the green or orange dots when landing on Runway 27.

On July 25, 2000, at 1700 central daylight time, a Beech BE-35, Bonanza, N3283V, was substantially damaged when the left wing impacted the runway during landing. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight had departed Port Huron (PHN), Michigan, at 1530 eastern daylight time, and was making a full stop landing on runway 27 (6,180 X 150) at the Wittman Regional Airport (OSH), Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The pilot and one passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.

The EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2000 Air Show was being held, and the Special Air Traffic Management landing instructions, which had been issued in a NOTAM, were in effect during the time of the accident.

The Bonanza had made a right downwind pattern and was landing at the "Green Spot" located 3,000 feet from the runway threshold on the right side of runway 27. Another airplane, a Velocity (N126EE), was behind the Bonanza on final approach, and was instructed to land on the "Orange Spot," located 1,500 feet from the runway threshold on the left side of runway 27. The pilot of the Bonanza reported that, "When I saw the other aircraft next to me suddenly on my left I veered to the right to avoid contact with it. My plane went to the right and then I turned to the left to stay on the runway. My left wingtip contacted the runway."

The pilot of the Velocity reported that he had been instructed to land on the Orange Spot. He stated that the Velocity's airspeed for landing was about 20 knots higher than the Bonanza's, which made it difficult to maintain separation on final with the Bonanza. He reported that the instructions for arriving aircraft at the air show state that verbal responses to the Air Traffic Controller (ATC) instructions were discouraged. He reported that he turned a right base and right turn to final as he was instructed by ATC. He reported that he landed near the orange spot and continued to roll out on runway 27. He reported ATC instructed him to taxi left onto the sod infield. He reported that he taxied left onto the sod infield as soon as it was safe to do so. He reported that he maintained separation with the Bonanza during rollout.

The ATC transcript indicated that the controller had instructed both aircraft to turn from downwind to base at the same time. (The Velocity was further downwind than the Bonanza.) The controller instructed the Bonanza to land on the green dot and the Velocity to land on the orange dot.

At 1650:11, the controller stated, "E-Z (Velocity) make sure you put it down on the orange dot. Bonanza don't touch down until you get all the way to the green dot, please, all the way to the green dot."

At 1650:17, the controller stated, "E-Z, good job. You can go ahead and touch down as soon as able now, E-Z. Bonanza, don't drop down until you get all the way down to the green dot. Fly it all the way down. Keep it airborne, Bonanza, good buddy."

At 1650:29, the controller stated, "Bonanza, keep it airborne. E-Z get on the left side of the runway as soon as you can. Bonanza, stay on the right side of the runway. The E-Z is rolling out behind you. I'll tell you when to put it down just momentarily, buddy."

At 2150:38, the controller stated, "E-Z, left into the grass right now please, E-Z, left into the grass. Bonanza, on the right side of the runway, you're cleared to land. Nice job, Bonanza. Excellent job, buddy, cleared to land Rwy 27."

The Special Air Traffic Management VFR Arrival Procedures contained instructions for airplanes arriving at Oshkosh. Reduced arrival and departure separation standards were in effect since July 23, 2000. The instructions informed pilots that, "Reduced runway separation is achieved by instructing pilots to touchdown on different colored circles or "dots" painted on Runway 27 and Runway 09." The instructions informed the pilots they could expect to land on the green or orange dots when landing on Runway 27.

Under the Helpful Hints section, the instructions stated:

- "Don't make unnecessary radio transmissions; Monitor only."

- "After landing, and when speed permits, listen carefully for ATC instructions regarding a right or left turn, onto the sod for camping or parking. DO NOT TURN BACK ONTO THE RUNWAY."

The instructions stated, "BE ALERT FOR LAST MINUTE CHANGES TO PREVIOUSLY ISSUED CLEARANCES OR ANTICIPATED PROCEDURES."