FTW95TA218

After entering the traffic pattern at coronado airport (4AC), the pilot determined that the wind was steady out of the west, as indicated by the wind sock. On final approach to runway 17, the flaps were set to 10 degrees due to the crosswind. The airplane crossed the threshold at 65 knots and 15 feet above the runway. A flare was initiated and the airplane began to 'float.' The pilot stated, 'although I was at idle power, the plane seem[ed] to pick up speed as though I had a tail wind.' Due to trees at the end of the runway and the high density altitude, the pilot elected to continue with the landing. The airplane touched down approximately 3,270 feet from the approach end of the 4,010 foot runway. The pilot applied the brakes 'hard', and both main landing gear tires 'blew.' The airplane came to rest 30 feet beyond the departure end of the runway in a ditch. The winds at Albuquerque international airport, located 10 NM south of coronado airport, were reported from 320 degrees at 9 knots, gusting to 20. Wind reported to the pilot prior to landing on UNICOM were from 250 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 23. Density altitude was 8,200 feet.

On May 20, 1995, at 1540 mountain daylight time (MDT), a Cessna R172K, N736HU, was substantially damaged during landing at Coronado Airport (4AC), Albuquerque, New Mexico. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was being operated as a public use flight by the Civil Air Patrol, under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated in Santa Fe, New Mexico, at 1510 MDT. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.

The pilot reported the following information in the Pilot/Operator Report. Approximately 10 nautical miles (nm) from Coronado Airport, the pilot was informed by Unicom that the winds were from 250 degrees at 15 knots gusting to 23, and the active runway was 17. After entering the traffic pattern the pilot determined that the wind was steady out of the west, as indicated by the wind sock. On final approach the flaps were set to 10 degrees due to the crosswind. The airplane crossed the threshold at 65 knots and 15 feet above the runway. A flare was initiated and the airplane began to "float." The pilot stated, "although I was at idle power the plane seem to pick up speed as though I had a tail wind." Due to trees at the end of the runway and the high density altitude of "over 8,000 feet", he elected to continue with the landing.

A witness reported in a written statement that "the airplane looked like a feather, floating on the thermals off the runway." The witness observed the airplane pass the mid-field and south end wind sock at approximately 15 feet above the ground. After passing the south wind sock the airplane "dropped to the runway like a rock." He then observed the "brakes smoking."

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector reported that the airplane touched down approximately 3,270 feet from the approach end of the 4,010 foot runway. The pilot applied the brakes "hard", and both main landing gear tires "blew." The airplane came to rest 30 feet beyond the departure end of the runway in a ditch. The left wing, fuselage, propeller, and spinner were damaged. At 1452 MDT, the winds at Albuquerque International Airport (ABQ), located 10 nm south of Coronado Airport, were reported from 320 degrees at 9 knots, gusting to 20. Density altitude was calculated to have been 8,200 feet.