# NTSB MIA97LA042: Siai-Marchetti F206C, N61FD, Kissimmee, FL, October 25, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 25, 1996, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Kissimmee, FL - Coordinates: 28.300302, -81.409606 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.3003&lon=-81.4096&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 2, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38191 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA042 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38191/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA042 ## Probable cause the pilot misjudged the flare resulting in 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 - weather condition - haze/smoke - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis The pilot in command said that the flight approached the field from the west, with the intent to land on runway 15. He said, '...the winds were variable, visibility was reduced due to haze and the sky was clear of clouds.' He further stated that as he set up for the approach, 'the haze was still present and our visibility was aggravated by the sun angle.' On short final the flight descended below the tree line, and a 'sink rate developed before power could be increased.' The pilot stated that he had to initiate a go-around because of a high sink rate and premature touchdown on the threshold of the prepared runway surface. He made a low pass over the airport, and received visual conformation that the landing gear were down from the airport manager. He then made a second approach, and the airplane veered to the left after touchdown. The pilot's attorney notified the Safety Board of the damages to the airplane on December 19, 1996. ## Factual narrative On October 25, 1996, about 1130 eastern daylight time, a Siai Marchetti F206C, N61FD, registered to a private owner was substantially damage during a landing, near Kissimmee, Florida. The airline transport rated pilot, and a commercial pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the vicinity, and no flight plan had been filed. The local business flight was being conducted in accordance with title 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, as Chief Pilot of Fighter Pilots USA, he was to fly with another pilot on a refresher ride. He said he was acting as pilot-in-command (PIC), and he briefed the mission to the other pilot, to included air work maneuvers. The PIC said that the flight approached the field from the west, with the intent to land on runway 15. He said, "...the winds were variable, visibility was reduced due to haze and the sky was clear of clouds." He further stated that as he set up for the approach, "the haze was still present and our visibility was aggravated by the sun angle." On short final the flight descended below the tree line, and a "sink rate developed before power could be increased." The pilot had to initiate a go-around because of a high sink rate and premature touchdown on the threshold of the prepared runway surface. He made a low pass over the airport, and received visual conformation that the landing gear were down from the airport manager. He then made a second approach, and the airplane veered to the left after touchdown. The pilot's attorney notified the Safety Board of the damages to the airplane on December 19, 1996. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N61FD](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N61FD), registered now, S/N 719 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Siai-Marchetti F206C - Registry model: [SIAI Marchetti F.260C](https://openairdocs.org/model/siai-marchetti-f-260c) (registry code 8121207) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 719 - Airframe hours: 1598 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-D4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Fighter Pilot USA, doing business as Fighter Pilots USA - Registered owner: Don Hinz - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 20, 1996, 23 hours before - Departed: ISM - Airport: ISM, Kissimmee Municipal, runway 15, 6,001 × 100 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,626 total, 485 in this make and model, 2,474 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F ## 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 19961025041679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961025041679A), Oct 25, 1996: Mrchti F260C, Kissimmee, FL, Substantial damage. Landing into sun and haze. Touched down on threshold. Went around. Veered off runway on touchdown. 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.