FTW97LA059

The pilot stated that he was 'approximately 100 feet short of the runway and approximately 35-50 feet above the ground, [when the] right wing went up, then [the] left wing struck the tarmac.' Two witnesses stated that the winds were 'gusty' at the time of the accident. After the accident, the pilot stated that he thought he had encountered an unexpected gust of wind during short final. He estimated that the winds at the time of the accident were from 190 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 25 knots or greater. Examination of the airplane revealed structural damage to the left wing and collapsed left main and nose gear. Ground scars with aircraft paint transfers were found approximately 27 feet left of runway centerline. The pilot and an FAA inspector noted that grass was overgrowing the edges of the runway (approximately 8-12 feet on each side). No mechanical anomalies with the aircraft were found that would have contributed to the accident. The accident occurred at dusk; the runway lights were operational.

On December 10, 1996, approximately 1755 central standard time, a Cessna 340A, N999JW, owned and operated by the pilot as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 business flight, was substantially damaged during landing at Eldorado Municipal Airport, Eldorado, Texas. The commercial pilot was not injured. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at 1500 from Fort Smith, Arkansas and had been airborne approximately 3 hours prior to the accident.

According to the pilot, while on a two mile final for runway 17, the aircraft was "blown off center to the east." He stated that subsequent alignment corrections were made "easily." Flaps were extended to 30 degrees. The pilot further stated that he was "approximately 100 feet short of the runway and approximately 35-50 feet above the ground [when the] right wing went up, then [the] left wing struck the tarmac." Two witnesses, who were playing golf nearby, stated that the winds were "gusty" at the time of the accident. In an interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the pilot stated that he thought that he encountered an unexpected gust of wind during short final. He estimated that the winds at the time of the accident were from 190 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 25 knots or greater.

Examination of the airplane by a FAA inspector revealed structural damage to the left wing, and collapsed left main and nose gear. Ground scars with aircraft paint transfers were found approximately 27 feet left of runway centerline. The FAA inspector and pilot also noted that grass was overgrowing the edges of the runway (approximately 8-12 feet on each side). Grass had overgrown laterally to the center of the "1" and the center of the "7" identifying the runway as "17".

No mechanical anomalies with the aircraft were found that would have contributed to the accident event. The runway lights were operational.