# NTSB WPR10CA037: Socata TB200, N3052N, Edwards, CA, October 24, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 23, 2009, 17:15 local (Oct 24, 2009, 00:15 UTC) - Place: Edwards, CA - Coordinates: 34.916389, -117.862503 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9164&lon=-117.8625&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 19, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 74985 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10CA037 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74985/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74985 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA037 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper flare resulting in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the sunglare. ## 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: [Socata TB200, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=8680750), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Light condition: glare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Socata TB200, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md?model=8680750), [All aircraft, 109 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Socata TB200, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8680750), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Socata TB200, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=8680750), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Socata TB200, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=8680750), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis In a written statement, the pilot reported that shortly after departure, with the airplane about 30 to 40 feet above ground level (agl), the left door opened. The gull-wing type door prohibited the pilot from being able to reach its latch without him unfastening his seatbelt. Given the airplane was only about 3,000 feet down the 8,000-foot-long runway, the pilot opted to abort the takeoff by retarding the throttle to the idle position. The sun was reflecting off the windscreen hindering the pilot's vision and he could not ascertain the airplane's height above the runway surface. The airplane landed hard, incurring structural damage to the airframe. The pilot stated that accident could have been prevented if there was more emphasis in "door operation" when performing a check in a different make and model airplane. The pilot further added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine. ## Factual narrative In a written statement, the pilot reported that shortly after departure, with the airplane about 30 to 40 feet above ground level (agl), the left door opened. The gull-wing type door prohibited the pilot from being able to reach its latch without him unfastening his seatbelt. Given the airplane was only about 3,000 feet down the 8,000-foot runway, the pilot opted to abort the takeoff by retarding the throttle to the idle position. The sun was reflecting off the windscreen hindering the pilot's vision and he could not ascertain the airplane's height above the runway surface. The airplane landed hard, incurring structural damage to the airframe. The pilot stated that accident could have been prevented if there was more emphasis in "door operation" when performing a check in a different make and model airplane. The pilot further added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3052N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3052N-2014-09-22), registration cancelled 2014-09-22, S/N 1564 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SOCATA TB200 - Registry model: [Socata TB200](https://openairdocs.org/model/socata-tb200) (registry code 8680750) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1564 - Airframe hours: 2665 - Engines: LYCOMING I0360 SER A&C 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Edwards Air Force Base Aero Club - Registered owner: Edwards Air Force Base Aero Club - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 11, 2009, 22 hours before - Departed: EDW, Edwards, CA - Destination: TSP, Tehachapi, CA - Airport: EDW, Edwards Air Force Base, runway 24, 8,000 × 50 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 8, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 89 total, 2 in this make and model, 38 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 85 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 30,000 ft broken - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: EDW ## 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 20091023022359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20091023022359A), Oct 23, 2009: Socata TB200, Edwards, CA, Destroyed. At approximately 1715 PDT on October 23, 2009, Socata TB-200 N3952N operated by the Edwards Afb aero club sustained substantial damage during a hard landing on… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 10, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74985. 246 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 246 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40322413&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.