# NTSB LAX05CA169: Beech C23 Sundowner, N1982L, San Martin, CA, May 14, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 14, 2005, 14:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: San Martin, CA - Coordinates: 37.081665, -121.596664 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0817&lon=-121.5967&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 13, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 61543 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX05CA169 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61543/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA169 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper landing flare that resulted in a porpoise and a hard landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - tailwind - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - encountered, pilot in command - landing gear,nose gear - overload - landing gear,nose gear - separation ## Analysis During touchdown, the airplane porpoised, and made a hard landing causing the nose wheel to separate. The pilot entered the landing pattern for runway 32, decreased the airspeed to 80 knots, and selected 15 degrees of flaps. On final, the precision approach path indicator (PAPI) indicated that he was on glideslope. The airplane touched down at 75 knots, and the engine was at idle. After touchdown, the airplane ballooned, and came back down hard on the nose gear. The airplane slid to a stop and a small fire erupted in the engine compartment. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane. He also reported that the winds were from 140 degrees at 10 knots at the time of the landing. ## Factual narrative On May 14, 2005, about 1415 Pacific daylight time, a Beech C23 Sundowner, N1982L, made a hard landing at South County Airport of Santa Clara County (E16), San Martin, California. The pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal flight departed Cable Airport (CCB), Upland, California, at 1045, with a planned destination of San Martin. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot submitted a written statement. He stated that he entered the landing pattern for runway 32, decreased the airspeed to 80 knots, and selected 15 degrees of flaps. On final, the precision approach path indicator (PAPI) indicated that he was on glideslope. The airplane touched down at 75 knots, and the engine was at idle. After touchdown, the airplane ballooned, and came back down hard on the nose gear. The nose gear then separated from the airplane. The airplane slid to a stop, and a small fire erupted in the engine compartment. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions noted with the airplane. He also reported that the winds were from 140 degrees at 10 knots at the time of the landing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1982L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1982L-2021-10-30), registration cancelled 2021-10-30, S/N M-1839 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech C23 Sundowner - 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-1839 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 SER reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Steven B. Frieson - Registered owner: Steven B. Frieson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Departed: CCB, UPLAND, CA - Destination: E16, San Martin, CA - Airport: E16, San Martin, runway 32, 3,100 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 170 total, 29 in this make and model, 11 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 20050514008319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050514008319A), May 14, 2005: Beech C23, San Martin, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot departed los angeles area destination south county airport, San Martin, CA. Pilot entered normal pattern, attempted landing and ballooned. Aircraft… 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.