# NTSB SEA08CA049: Beech A23, N8770M, Death Valley, CA, November 29, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: November 29, 2007, 08:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Death Valley, CA
- Coordinates: 36.603889, -117.159164
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6039&lon=-117.1592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 67279
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA08CA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67279/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08CA049

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper flare during 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)
- Nose down, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - runway

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during the landing on runway 5, the touchdown was hard and the airplane bounced and started to "porpoise".  Subsequently the nosewheel landing gear failed aft, and the airplane nosed down and slid to a stop.  The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane at the time of the accident.  Examination of the airplane by salvage personnel revealed that the engine mount and firewall were bent.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during the landing on runway 5, the touchdown was hard and the airplane bounced and started to "porpoise".  Subsequently the nose wheel landing gear failed aft, and the airplane nosed down and slid to a stop.  The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane at the time of the accident.  Examination of the airplane by salvage personnel revealed that the engine mount and firewall were bent.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8770M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8770M-2013-05-15), registration cancelled 2013-05-15, S/N M-555, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Beech A23
- Registry model: [Beech A23](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a23) (registry code 1151204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-346 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-346-series) (registry code 17033, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: M-555
- Engines: Continental IO-340-A 165 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Claire L. Koch
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: RNO, Reno, NE
- Destination: L09, Death Valley Nt, CA
- Airport: L09, Stovepipe Wells Airport, runway 5, 3,260 × 65 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; seat: left; flight hours: 119 total, 39 in this make and model, 29 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 9 °F
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observed at: NID

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 20071129828279I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20071129828279I), Nov 29, 2007: Beech A23, Death Valley N, CA, Minor damage. (-23) On November 29, 2007 at approx. 8:30 am local time, pilot was attempting to land at Stovepipe Wells, CA runway 5. Runway sloped away (downhill) as pilot…

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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