# NTSB MIA96LA121: Cessna 310D, N100VG, Palmetto, GA, April 18, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 18, 1996, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Palmetto, GA - Coordinates: 33.519676, -84.660888 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5197&lon=-84.6609&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 16, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38007 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA96LA121 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38007/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA121 ## Probable cause Failure of the pilot-in-command to maintain the proper descent rate resulting in a hard landing and collapse of the right main landing gear. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - landing gear,main gear - overload - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he diverted due to a partially open cabin door. He entered the traffic pattern and while on short final approach to the 2,690-foot runway with a 600-foot displaced threshold, a high sink rate developed. He applied nose-up elevator input three times but only applied power during the third elevator input. The airplane landed hard on the right main landing gear causing it to collapse. The airplane then bounced twice, veered off the right side of the runway, and contacted a closed taxiway that was raised 4-6 inches causing the left main and nose landing gears to collapse. ## Factual narrative On April 18, 1996, about 1530 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 310D, registered to 3SY AVN, Inc., landed hard at the South Fulton Airport, Palmetto, Georgia. 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 and the private-rated pilot and two passengers were not injured. The flight originated about 1505 from the Clayton County-Tara Field Airport, Hampton, Georgia. The pilot stated that he diverted due to a partially open cabin door. He entered the traffic pattern and while on short final approach to the 2,690-foot runway with a 600-foot displaced threshold, a high sink rate developed. He applied nose-up elevator input three times and only applied power during the third elevator application. The airplane landed hard on the right main landing gear causing it to collapse, then the airplane bounced twice. The airplane veered off the right side of the runway, and the nose and left main landing gears collapsed after contacting a closed taxiway raised 4-6 inches about 75 feet north of the runway. According to an A & P mechanic on the airport who witnessed the accident, propeller slash marks were first observed on the asphalt runway about 300 feet short of the displaced threshold and to the right of the runway centerline. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N100VG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N100VG-2014-09-08), registration cancelled 2014-09-08, S/N 39063, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 310D - Registry model: [Cessna 310D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310d) (registry code 2074212) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 39063 - Airframe hours: 3581 - Engines: Continental IO-470D 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Bruce D. Willis - Registered owner: 3sy Aviation,Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 22, 1995, 160 hours before - Departed: 4A7, HAMPTON, GA - Destination: 8A9 - Airport: 8A9, South Fulton, runway 27, 2,690 × 40 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,040 total, 520 in this make and model, 1,905 as pilot in command, 68 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken - Temperature: 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ATL, 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 19960418011919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960418011919A), Apr 18, 1996: Cessna 310D, Palmetto, GA, Substantial damage. (.19) On April 18, 1996, about 1530 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 310D, registered to 3SY avn, inc., landed hard at the south Fulton airport, Palmetto,… 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.