# NTSB MIA00LA136: Bellanca 8KCAB, N238DM, Immokalee, FL, April 16, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 16, 2000, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Immokalee, FL
- Coordinates: 26.410789, -81.420463 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.4108&lon=-81.4205&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 2, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 49005
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA00LA136
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49005/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA00LA136

## Probable cause

the pilot misjudged the flare resulting in a hard landing short of the intended landing site, subsequently impacting the ground, and nosing over.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper touchdown point - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

According to the pilot while on final approach to the airport, and about 25 to 50 feet above the ground, 'the bottom dropped out coming down hard on [the] landing gear 6 feet short of runway.  Ground was soft, pitching the plane on its nose.'  According to the FAA inspector's statement the pilot '...did not report any mechanical problems.'

## Factual narrative

On April 16, 2000, about 1100 eastern daylight time, a Bellanca 8KCAB, N238DM, owned by a private individual, impacted with the ground while landing at the Immokalee Airport, Immokalee, Florida.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight.  The airplane was substantially damaged.  The commercial-rated pilot and one passenger reported serious injuries.  The flight had departed from the same airport, at 1000.

The flight was landing on runway 18.  According to the airport manager, the pilot was doing spot landings, and landed short of the runway.  The airplane came to rest on runway 18.

According to the pilot, he had stayed in the local traffic pattern, and was doing some landings, when he elected to depart the traffic pattern to do some local flying.  Upon return to the airport he said, "...I made a normal approach and normal speed.  About 25 to 50 feet [above the ground], the bottom dropped out coming down hard on [the] landing gear 6 feet short of [the] runway.  Ground was soft, pitching the plane on its nose."

According to the FAA inspector's statement the pilot "...did not report any mechanical problems."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N238DM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N238DM), registered now, S/N 19-72, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Bellanca 8KCAB
- Registry model: [Bellanca 8KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-8kcab) (registry code 1220801) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 19-72
- Airframe hours: 1542
- Engines: Lycoming IO-320-E1A 150 lbs thrust reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ronald A. Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 3, 1999, 10 hours before
- Airport: IMM, Immokalee Regional, runway 18, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 78; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,796 total, 399 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RSW, 25 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 20000416006599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000416006599A), Apr 16, 2000: Bbavia 8KCAB, Immokalee, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) Airman was practicing takeoffs and landings. On second landing aircraft impacted short of runway with substantial dmaage to the aircraft and injuries to…

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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