# NTSB GAA19CA335: Cessna 421, N421WL, Moriarty, NM, June 9, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 9, 2019, 12:10 local (18:10 UTC) - Place: Moriarty, NM - Coordinates: 34.982223, -106.013336 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9822&lon=-106.0133&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 6, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99617 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA335 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99617/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99617 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA335 ## 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: [Cessna 421B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2076014), [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: [Cessna 421B, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2076014), [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: [Cessna 421B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2076014), [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: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 421B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2076014), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot in the multiengine airplane reported that, during approach, he was too high and too fast. He pulled both throttles to idle, and the airplane "got too slow." About 1/4 mile from the runway, he reduced the flaps from full (third notch) to the second notch. He added that, above the runway, he heard the stall warning horn sound and that he then flared the airplane, which landed hard. The left main landing gear and nosewheel tires popped. He was able to taxi back to the hangar without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wing spars. 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 from 108° at 4 knots, gusting to 19 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 08. ## Factual narrative The pilot in the multi-engine airplane reported that, during approach, he was too high and too fast. He pulled both throttles to idle and the airplane "got too slow." About one quarter mile from the runway, he reduced the flaps from full (third notch) to the second notch. He added that, above the runway, he heard the stall warning horn sound, he flared, and the airplane landed hard. The left main landing gear and nose wheel tires popped. He was able to taxi back to the hangar without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wing spars. 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 from 108° at 4 knots, gusting to 19 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 08. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N421WL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N421WL-2020-10-31), registration cancelled 2020-10-31, S/N 421B0328, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 421 (B) - Registry model: [Cessna 421B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-421b) (registry code 2076014) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental GTSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-gtsio-520-series) (registry code 17046, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 421B0328 - Year built: 1973 - Airframe hours: 6811.5 - Engines: Continental GTSIO-520-H 375 horsepower reciprocating; Continental GTSIO-520-H 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 17, 2018 - Departed: 0E0, Moriarty, NM - Destination: 0E0, Moriarty, NM - Airport: 0E0, Moriarty Muni, runway 08, 7,702 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Auto-pilot, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 12, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,480 total, 419 in this make and model, 2,357 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial, military; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 16, 2017; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 6,775 total, 5 in this make and model, 6,100 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 16 knots, gusting 23 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.40 inHg - Observed at: KCQC, 17 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 20190609017389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190609017389A), Jun 9, 2019: Cessna 421B, Moriarity, NM, Substantial damage. On June 9, 2019, at 1210 MDT, a Cessna 421B registered to [privacy data omitted] sustained a hard landing at Moriarity municipal airport, Moriarity, new… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 18, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99617. 3.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40474290&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 163 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40474291&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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.