# NTSB CHI07CA285: Navion Navion H, N2540T, Atlantic, IA, August 30, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 30, 2007, 12:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Atlantic, IA
- Coordinates: 41.40361, -95.048614
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4036&lon=-95.0486&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 31, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66803
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI07CA285
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66803/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07CA285

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper flare and touchdown during landing resulting in overload failure of the left main landing gear.  A contributing factor was the pilot's distraction due to the unlatched cabin door.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - touchdown - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - landing gear - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The pilot stated the aircraft cabin door came unlatched shortly after takeoff. The pilot chose to return to the departure airport for landing on Runway 12 (3,133 feet by 75 feet, asphalt).  He reported that the aircraft touched down on the left main gear, with a "slight drift."  The left main gear subsequently collapsed.  The aircraft came to rest approximately 1,000 feet down the runway and about 30 feet off the left side of the pavement.  The pilot noted a "series of distractions" prevented him from concentrating on a safe landing.

## Factual narrative

The airplane was substantially damaged when the left main landing gear collapsed during landing.  The pilot stated the aircraft cabin door came unlatched shortly after takeoff. The pilot chose to return to the departure airport for landing on Runway 12 (3,133 feet by 75 feet, asphalt).  He reported that the aircraft touched down on the left main gear, with a "slight drift."  The left main gear subsequently collapsed.  The aircraft came to rest approximately 1,000 feet down the runway and about 30 feet off the left side of the pavement.  The pilot noted a "series of distractions" prevented him from concentrating on a safe landing.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2540T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2540T), registered now, S/N NAV-4-2540, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Navion NAVION H
- Registry model: [Navion NAVION H](https://openairdocs.org/model/navion-navion-h) (registry code 6150122) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: NAV-4-2540
- Airframe hours: 2082.8
- Engines: Teledyne Continental IO-550-R 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Henningsen Air LLC, doing business as Henningsen Air LLC
- Registered owner: Henningsen Air LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2007
- Departed: KAIO, Atlantic, IA
- Destination: KAIO, Atlantic, IA
- Airport: KAIO, Atlantic Municipal, runway 12, 3,133 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2006; flight hours: 2,543 total, 129 in this make and model, 2,343 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F

## 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 20070830018529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070830018529A), Aug 30, 2007: Tmpson NAVIONH, Atlantic, IA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot advised he landed hard and left gear collapsed causing substantial damage to the aircraft. The pilot and two passengers had no injuries.

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.

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