# NTSB ERA13CA436: Beech A23 24, N7626R, Lumberton, NJ, September 29, 2013

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 29, 2013, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Lumberton, NJ
- Coordinates: 39.933887, -74.804443 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9339&lon=-74.8044&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 December 2, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- NTSB case key (mKey): 88263
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13CA436
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88263/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88263
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA436

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A23-24, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1151226), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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: [Beech A23-24, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=1151226), [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: [Beech A23-24, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=1151226), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the pilot, he flew a visual approach at the normal airspeed prescribed by the airplane owner's manual. The pilot stated that once over the runway he began reducing power and, about 60 knots, began to flare the airplane. Subsequently, the airplane ballooned, dropped, and then bounced, striking the tail of the airplane and then the propeller on the runway which resulted in substantial damage to the aft bulkhead. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or abnormalities with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The recorded wind at the time of the accident was 120 degrees at 3 knots.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot, he flew a visual approach at the normal airspeed prescribed by the airplane owner's manual. The pilot stated that once over the runway he began reducing power and, about 60 knots, began to flare the airplane. Subsequently, the airplane ballooned, dropped, and then bounced, striking the tail of the airplane and then the propeller on the runway which resulted in substantial damage to the aft bulkhead. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or abnormalities with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The recorded wind at the time of the accident was 120 degrees at 3 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7626R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7626R), registered now, S/N MA-348, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A23 24 (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [Beech A23-24](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a23-24) (registry code 1151226) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: MA-348
- Year built: 1969
- Airframe hours: 2715
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 SER reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2013
- Departed: FME, FORT MEADE(ODENTON), MD
- Destination: N14, Lumberton, NJ
- Airport: N14, Flying W Airport, runway 19, 3,496 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 9, 2013; seat: left; flight hours: 320 total, 160 in this make and model, 45 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observed at: KVAY, 2 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 20130929018729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130929018729A), Sep 29, 2013: Beech A23-24, Lumberton, NJ, Substantial damage. Aircraft porpoised on landing striking the prop and tail section of the aircraft. NTSB on furlough no accident number given until their return.

## Docket (5 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 19, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88263. 875 KB in all.

- Pilot Statement (item 1, .PDF, 220 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402917&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF
- Memorandum of Record - Pilot Confirmation on Departure Airport (item 2, .PDF, 101 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402953&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20-%20Pilot%20Confirmation%20on%20Departure%20Airport-Master.PDF
- Maintenance Records [Excerpt] - Recent Annual Inspection (item 3, .PDF, 344 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402915&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Records%20%5BExcerpt%5D%20-%20Recent%20Annual%20Inspection-Redacted.PDF
- Mount Holly Weather (item 4, .PDF, 112 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402919&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Mount%20Holly%20Weather-Master.PDF
- Photo 1: Rear Bulkhead Damage (Courtesy of the FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 97 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402913&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Rear%20Bulkhead%20Damage%20(Courtesy%20of%20the%20FAA)-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.

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