# NTSB NYC08CA177: Beech 65-A90, N41DZ, Titusville, FL, May 6, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 6, 2008, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Titusville, FL
- Coordinates: 28.622222, -80.835556
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.6222&lon=-80.8356&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: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 67964
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC08CA177
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67964/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA177

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper flare which resulted in a hard landing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 65-A90, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=1152908), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/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 65-A90, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=1152908), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot was landing the twin-engine, turboprop airplane on a 3,000-foot-long, 70-foot-wide, asphalt runway, when he encountered a high sink rate. He applied engine power; however, the engines did not respond quickly enough to prevent a hard landing. During the hard landing, the main landing gear separated and the left landing gear struck the vertical stabilizer. The pilot subsequently performed a go-around and landed on a grass runway, without further incident. The pilot stated that he did not experience any mechanical malfunctions. He reported 5000 hours of total flight experience, which included 500 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane.

## Factual narrative

The pilot was landing the Beech 65-A90, on a 3,000-foot-long, 70-foot-wide, asphalt runway, when the airplane encountered a high sink rate. The pilot applied engine power; however, the engines did not respond quickly enough to prevent a hard landing. During the hard landing, the main landing gear separated and the left landing gear struck the vertical stabilizer. The pilot subsequently performed a go-around and landed on a grass runway, without further incident. The pilot stated he did not experience any mechanical malfunctions. He reported 5000 hours of total flight experience, which included 500 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N41DZ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N41DZ), registered now, S/N LJ-269, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Beech 65-A90
- Registry model: [Beech 65-A90](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-65-a90) (registry code 1152908) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [U/A Canada PT6 SER 578HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/u-a-canada-pt6-ser-578hp) (registry code 61501, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: LJ-269
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT-6-13S 550 horsepower turbo prop; Pratt & Whitney PT-6-13S 550 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Titusville Drop Zone
- Registered owner: Fall Air Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: X21, Titusville, FL
- Destination: X21, Titusville, FL
- Airport: X21, Arthur Dunn Air Park, runway 33, 3,000 × 70 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 5,000 total, 500 in this make and model, 4,800 as pilot in command, 0 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observed at: TIX, 7 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 20080506838329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080506838329A), May 6, 2008: Beech 65A90, Titusville, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot was landing aircraft and landed hard, both main landing gears broke at the upper torque knee on impact. Aircraft climbed and both main landing gear…

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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