# NTSB SEA04LA196: Dornier DO27A4, N276MK, Marion, MT, May 8, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 8, 2004, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Marion, MT - Coordinates: 48.072498, -114.678337 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.0725&lon=-114.6783&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 8, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 60929 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA04LA196 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60929/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA196 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper landing 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 - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis Approaching the destination airfield, the pilot reported rain showers were present and the weather was deteriorating. The pilot elected to use the slip maneuver on her landing approach, taking out 90 percent of the slip prior to the airplane touching down hard on its left main landing gear. Witnesses attending the fly-in reported that the left main landing gear was bent and the left door wouldn't operate properly. Later in the afternoon the pilot asked several other pilots their opinions on the left landing gear, and 5 or 6 pilots said it was solid. After securing the left door with rope, the pilot then flew the airplane to her home base. Substantial damage to the airplane was discovered two months after the accident as the aircraft was being repaired. The accident was reported to the FAA on November 4, 2004. ## Factual narrative On May 8, 2004, approximately 1100 mountain daylight time, a Dornier DO27A4, N276MK, was substantially damaged following a hard landing at the Cabin Creek Landing Airport (97MT), Marion, Montana. The commercial pilot and her two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, which was conducted in accordance with 14 CFR Part 91, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight had departed the Ferndale Airfield (53U), Big Fork, Montana, approximately 30 minutes prior to the accident. According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot reported that as she approached the destination airfield she observed the weather deteriorating, with a shower present where she would normally glide in, and more showing up. The pilot stated, "I decided to slip the Dornier in. I had pulled 90 percent out of the slip when I touched down, hitting the left landing gear, but not enough to prevent a 'perfect attitude and directionally controlled landing' after the initial touchdown." The pilot further stated that the landing gear was solid and she didn't notice any discernible difference during taxi. The pilot reported that after breakfast, "...I asked all there to watch as I did a 360 degree taxi on the tarmac to see if there was any weakness observed. I felt none [and] the 5 or 6 pilots present said it was solid. I [then] flew it to home (53U)." The pilot stated that the damage to the airplane was not discovered until it was examined and repaired two months later. In written reports submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), several witnesses reported that the left main landing gear was bent/splayed out further than the right main landing gear, and that the left cabin door would not operate properly. Witnesses also stated that prior to her departure the pilot secured the door with some borrowed rope. The FAA was notified on November 4, 2004 that N276MK was involved in an accident on May 8, 2004. On January 5, 2005, the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC) was made aware of the event by the FAA. On January 31, 2005, based on information provided by an airframe and powerplant mechanic to the IIC, it was concluded that the aircraft had sustained substantial damage during the hard landing and that he had repaired it in accordance with Advisory Circular (AC) 43.13-1A. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N276MK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N276MK), registered now, S/N 383, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Dornier DO27A4 - Registry model: [Dornier DO27A4](https://openairdocs.org/model/dornier-do27a4) (registry code 2990704) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming GO-480-G1B6](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-go-480-g1b6) (registry code 42181, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 383 - Engines: Lycoming GO 480 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Joan M. Colby - Registered owner: Marquross MoQuey Kseal - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: 53U, Ferndale, MT - Destination: 97MT, Marion, MT - Airport: 97MT, Cabin Creek Landing Airport, runway 02, 3,400 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,820 total, 37 in this make and model, 1,668 as pilot in command, 73 in the last 90 days, 48 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: FCA, 20 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 20040508035049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040508035049A), May 8, 2004: Dorner DO27A4, Marion, MT, Substantial damage. (-23) On may 8, 2004, a dornier DO27A4, N276MK, made a hard Landing at the Cabin Creek airport, near Marion, Montana, causing substantial damage to the left… 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.