# NTSB LAX08CA075: Beech C23, N9374S, Marble Canyon, AZ, March 14, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 14, 2008, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Marble Canyon, AZ - Coordinates: 36.810832, -111.644447 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8108&lon=-111.6444&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 67685 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08CA075 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67685/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA075 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions and failure to maintain an adequate airspeed during the flare. Contributing to the accident were wind gusts and a crosswind. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech C23, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech C23, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: crosswind correction](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech C23, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech C23, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/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: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech C23, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that after overflying the airport, he decided to land on runway 21. He extended the wing flaps to the 25-degree position during the approach to landing. The pilot observed that the wind sock was about halfway extended, and he estimated that the wind was from 270 degrees at 20 knots, with gusts to 25 knots. During the landing flare, the crosswind suddenly decreased in intensity, and the airplane impacted hard onto the runway's surface. Thereafter, the airplane veered right and exited the runway. Inspection of the airframe revealed that the nosewheel and the left main landing gear separated from the airframe, the windshield cracked, and the vertical stabilizer was bent. The pilot did not indicate that he had experienced any mechanical malfunction or abnormality with his airplane prior to the mishap. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that after overflying the airport, he decided to land on runway 21. He extended the wing flaps to the 25-degree position during the approach to landing. The pilot observed that the wind sock was about halfway extended, and he estimated that the wind was from 270 degrees at 20 knots, with gusts to 25 knots. During the landing flare, the crosswind suddenly decreased in intensity, and the airplane impacted hard onto the runway's surface. Thereafter, the airplane veered right and exited the runway. Inspection of the airframe revealed that the nose wheel and the left main landing gear separated from the airframe, the windshield cracked, and the vertical stabilizer was bent. The pilot did not indicate that he had experienced any mechanical malfunction or abnormality with his airplane prior to the mishap. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9374S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9374S-2008-08-25), registration cancelled 2008-08-25, S/N M-1672, built 1975 (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-1672 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4K reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Russell L. Gardner - Registered owner: Arizona Thunderbolts, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Departed: DVT, Deer Valley, AZ - Destination: L41, Marble Canyon, AZ - Airport: L41, Marble Canyon, runway 21, 3,715 × 35 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 241 total, 154 in this make and model, 17 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 20 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 10 statute miles ## 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 20080314012229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080314012229A), Mar 14, 2008: Beech C23, Marble Canyon, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraf Beech C23, N9374S, piloted by the private pilot [privacy data omitted] crashed at Marble Canyon, AZ airport (L41), on March 14, 2008, at… 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.