# NTSB ERA12CA415: Fairchild 24R-40, N232E, Smyrna, TN, June 8, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 8, 2012, 14:35 local (19:35 UTC) - Place: Smyrna, TN - Coordinates: 36.00111, -86.510833 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0011&lon=-86.5108&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 26, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 84089 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA415 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84089/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84089 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA415 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Fairchild 24R-40, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=3370508), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Fairchild 24R-40, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=3370508), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/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: [Fairchild 24R-40, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=3370508), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he flew about 1 hour before returning to the departure airport and entering the traffic pattern. During final approach, he stated that the black rubber transfer on the runway surface confused him, which resulted in his misjudgment of the height of the airplane over the runway. The pilot realized that he was too high and too slow when he flared the airplane, so he applied full throttle to go around. The airplane impacted the runway, bounced, and skidded off the right side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, he flew approximately one hour before returning to the departure airport and entering the traffic pattern. During final approach he stated that the black rubber transfer on the runway surface confused him resulting in the misjudgment of the height of the airplane over the runway. The pilot realized that he was too high above the ground and too slow and applied full throttle to go around; however, the airplane impacted the runway, bounced, then skidded off to the right side of the runway resulting in substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N232E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N232E), registered now, S/N R40-425 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: FAIRCHILD 24R-40 - Registry model: [Fairchild 24R-40](https://openairdocs.org/model/fairchild-24r-40) (registry code 3370508) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Fairchild 6-440 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/fairchild-6-440-series) (registry code 26003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: R40-425 - Airframe hours: 2087 - Engines: FAIRCHILD 6-440 SERIES 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Harold G. Pedigo - Registered owner: Harold G. Pedigo - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 4, 2008, 33 hours before - Departed: MQY, Smyrna, TN - Destination: MQY, Smyrna, TN - Airport: MQY, Smyrna Airport, runway 32, 8,048 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; injuries: none; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 30, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 988 total, 30 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: KMQY ## 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 20120608010829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120608010829A), Jun 8, 2012: Fairchild 24R-40, Smyrna, TN, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted] Operated aircraft N232E s/n R40-425 on 6/8/12 from mqy to mqy. At 1435 local time, aircraft landed hard on runway 32, and pilot lost… ## Other investigations on N232E (2) 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. - [NTSB LAX04CA244](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA244), Jun 19, 2004: Fairchild 24R-40 (N232E), Lincoln, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain directional control and inadequate compensation for gusty wind conditions, which resulted in a ground loop and collision with the runway. - [NTSB NYC65F0098](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC65F0098), Apr 4, 1965: Fairchild 24R-40 (N232E), Winterport, ME, destroyed ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 6, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84089. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 690 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371870&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 366 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371871&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - NTSB Record of Conversation With the Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372303&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Record%20of%20Conversation%20With%20the%20Pilot-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.