# NTSB GAA18CA446: Cessna 310, N46CH, Malden, MO, July 20, 2018

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 20, 2018, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Malden, MO
- Coordinates: 36.600555, -89.992225 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6006&lon=-89.9922&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 97904
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA446
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97904/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97904
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA446

## Probable cause

The pilot’s improper landing flare in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a hard landing.

## 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 · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, while landing, the airplane "hit some turbulence," and it "felt like the bottom dropped out." Subsequently, the airplane landed hard. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing front spar. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that the wind was light and variable. The automated weather observation system about 19 nautical miles from the accident site reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 220° at 7 knots, gusting to 15 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 18.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, while landing, the airplane "hit some turbulence" and it "felt like the bottom dropped out". Subsequently, the airplane landed hard. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing front spar. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported on the NTSB form 6120 that the wind was light and variable. The automated weather observation system about 19 nautical miles from the accident site reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 220° at 7 knots, gusting to 15 knots. The pilot landed on runway 18.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N46CH (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 310 (P)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 310P0146
- Year built: 1969
- Airframe hours: 4946.9
- Engines: Continental IO-470-V 260 horsepower reciprocating; Continental IO-470-V 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 9, 2017
- Departed: BHM, Birmingham, AL
- Destination: SUX, Sioux City, IA
- Airport: MAW, Malden Rgnl, runway 18, 5,011 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: sport pilot, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 20, 2018; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 2,500 total, 2,500 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 7 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.80 inHg
- Turbulence: Unknown
- Observed at: KPOF, 19 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 20180720017399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180720017399A), Jul 20, 2018: Cessna 310P, Malden, MO, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted] Was on final at Malden airport when he stated he encountered turbulance while landing. The aircraft landed on runway 18 hard causing…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 30, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97904. 935 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 843 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467847&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Picture (item 2, .PDF, 92 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467848&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Picture-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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