# NTSB GAA19CA073: Beech C23, N66710, Porterville, CA, November 25, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 25, 2018, 13:20 local (21:20 UTC) - Place: Porterville, CA - Coordinates: 36.029998, -119.063056 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0300&lon=-119.0631&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98678 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA073 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98678/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98678 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA073 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in an abnormal landing and subsequent porpoise. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech C23, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech C23, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Beech C23, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech C23, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Beech C23, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Beech C23, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the landing flare, the airplane touched down on the main landing gear and ballooned a few feet off the ground. Subsequently, the airplane porpoised, the nosewheel collapsed, and the airplane came to rest nose down on the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mount. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during the landing flare the airplane touched down on the main gear and ballooned a few feet off the ground. Subsequently, the airplane porpoised, the nose wheel collapsed, and the airplane came to rest nose down on the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mount. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N66710](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N66710), registered now, S/N M-2387, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech C23 - Registry model: [Beech C23](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c23) (registry code 1151242) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: M-2387 - Year built: 1983 - Airframe hours: 6109 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4K 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 20, 2017 - Departed: PTV, Porterville, CA - Destination: PTV, Porterville, CA - Airport: PTV, Porterville Muni, runway 30, 5,960 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Angle of attack indicator, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 22, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 242 total, 220 in this make and model, 132 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: KPTV ## 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 20181125017639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20181125017639A), Nov 25, 2018: Beech C23, Porterville, CA, Substantial damage. At the time of the accident, the pilot had been conducting a short personal flight to warm up the engine prior to having an annual inspection performed on the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 14, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98678. 4.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470385&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 177 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470386&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.