# NTSB CHI08CA225: Aero Commander 200D, N260M, Tecumseh, MI, July 31, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 31, 2008, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Tecumseh, MI - Coordinates: 42.025001, -83.939163 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0250&lon=-83.9392&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - Detroit FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68788 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA225 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68788/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA225 ## Probable cause The pilot flaring too high, and his inadvertent pilot-induced oscillation during the landing flare/touchdown. Contributing to the accident was the collapse of the nose landing gear. ## 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 · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Aero Commander 200D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=0140312), [All aircraft, 1,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: runway/taxi/approach light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Aero Commander 200D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/cases.md?model=0140312), [All aircraft, 106 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action sequence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041020): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aero Commander 200D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041020/cases.md?model=0140312), [All aircraft, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041020/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: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Aero Commander 200D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=0140312), [All aircraft, 5,010 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Aero Commander 200D, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0140312), [All aircraft, 10,154 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Aero Commander 200D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=0140312), [All aircraft, 1,789 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: [Aero Commander 200D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=0140312), [All aircraft, 2,289 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the landing approach was uneventful up to the flare and touchdown. He increased engine power just prior to landing because he thought the airplane was slow. He flared higher than normal, and then the airplane "hit hard" on all three landing gear. The airplane began to porpoise, contacting the runway alternately with the nose and main landing gear, but eventually settled onto all three landing gear. The airplane then made an uncommanded left swerve that the pilot was unable to counteract. The nose landing gear separated from the airplane when the airplane nose impacted a non-breakaway steel runway light. The airplane then nosed over in the grass easement off the left side of the runway. The cabin roof, engine firewall, rudder, and vertical stabilizer were substantially damaged. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that the landing approach was uneventful up to the flare and touchdown. He increased engine power just prior to landing because he thought the airplane was slow. He rounded-out and flared higher than normal, and then the airplane "hit hard" on all three landing gear. The airplane began to porpoise between the nose and main landing gear, but eventually settled onto all three landing gear. The airplane then made an uncommanded left swerve that the pilot was unable to counteract. The nose landing gear separated from the airplane when the airplane nose impacted a non-breakaway steel runway light. The airplane then nosed over in the grass easement off the left side of the runway. The cabin roof, engine firewall, rudder, and vertical stabilizer were substantially damaged. The pilot was seriously injured with a broken neck. The airplane was not equipped with shoulder harnesses. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N260M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N260M), registered now, S/N 298 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aero Commander 200D - Registry model: [Aero Commander 200D](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-200d) (registry code 0140312) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 298 - Airframe hours: 1721.9 - Engines: Teledyne Continental IO-520-A 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2008 - Departed: 4N0, Kalamazoo, MI - Destination: 3TE, Tecumseh, MI - Airport: 3TE, Meyers - Diver's Airport, runway 36, 2,660 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 78; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 6,000 total, 1,800 in this make and model, 6,000 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.77 inHg - Observed at: ADG, 11 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 20080731844129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080731844129A), Jul 31, 2008: Propjt 200D, Tecumseh, MI, Substantial damage. (-23) Examination of runway and tire marks indicates that pilot appeared to have landed fast on nose wheel then veered to the left causing the aircraft to… 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.