# NTSB WPR11LA364: Nicholson 2000, N671T, Sedona, AZ, July 27, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 26, 2011, 17:36 local (Jul 27, 2011, 00:36 UTC) - Place: Sedona, AZ - Coordinates: 34.848609, -111.788612 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8486&lon=-111.7886&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 March 27, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 81371 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11LA364 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81371/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81371 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA364 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper landing 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: [Nicholson Mark SERIES 2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=05611NH), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: main landing gear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Capability exceeded; cases with it: [Nicholson Mark SERIES 2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/cases.md?model=05611NH), [All aircraft, 241 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible; cases with it: [Nicholson Mark SERIES 2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05611NH), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Nicholson Mark SERIES 2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=05611NH), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/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: [Nicholson Mark SERIES 2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=05611NH), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Nicholson Mark SERIES 2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=05611NH), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Nicholson Mark SERIES 2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05611NH), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Nicholson Mark SERIES 2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05611NH), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the airplane landed just past the numbers, bounced once, then landed on the right main landing gear, which collapsed. The left main and nose landing gears subsequently collapsed, and the airplane skidded off the right side of the runway. According to a witness, the airplane approached the runway on short final at a high approach speed and with very little flare. The airplane made runway contact with first the right main landing gear, which collapsed, then the airplane yawed to the right, which resulted in the collapse of the left main and nose landing gear. A postaccident examination of the landing gear revealed no indication of a mechanical failure or malfunction. Skid marks found on the runway indicate that it is likely that the landing gear collapsed as a result of a hard landing. ## Factual narrative On July 26, 2011, about 1736 mountain standard time, a Nicholson 2000, single-engine experimental amateur built airplane, sustained substantial damage following a landing gear collapse on rollout at the Sedona Airport (SEZ), Sedona, Arizona. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross-country flight, which was operated in accordance with 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight departed Falcon Field (FFZ), Mesa, Arizona, about 1700, with SEZ as its destination. In a report submitted to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge (NTSB IIC), the pilot reported that prior to the accident flight the right main landing gear was serviced by maintenance. Maintenance personnel replaced the two pins that secure the right main landing gear in place, both of which had sheared off on a previous flight. The pilot stated that during the accident landing the airplane landed just past the numbers, bounced once, then landed on the right main gear, which collapsed; this was followed by the left main and nose landing gear, which then also collapsed. The pilot revealed that the airplane then slid [to the right] across the runway before coming to a stop off of the runway in the dirt. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the airplane prior to or during the accident flight. In a written statement supplied to the NTSB IIC, a witness reported that he observed the airplane on short final at a high final approach speed and with very little flare. The witness stated that the airplane made contact with the right main [landing gear] first, which caused the landing gear to fold under into the wing. The witness reported that the airplane then yawed to the right, which placed a side load on the nose landing gear, causing it to collapse along with the left main landing gear. The witness added that the airplane then skidded before departing to the right side of the runway. Two Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aviation safety inspectors examined the airplane at the accident site and reported that initial touchdown marks of all three landing gear were evident on the runway surface, with the first mark being that of the right main landing gear. The FAA inspector stated that a skid mark revealed an immediate diversion to the right, and that about 20 feet further skid marks from both the left main and nose wheels were evident. He added that about six feet from the initial skid mark made by the nose wheel, a fresh impression of about one-half inch deep was observed on the runway surface. Immediately in advance of this point was evidence that the nose, right and left main landing gears collapsed, followed by the airplane exiting the runway. The FAA inspector reported that upon further examination of the airplane, it was found that the left main landing gear inboard attach point was protruding through the lower wing skin. He also reportedthat damage to the outboard landing gear attach point was evident, as pieces of the attach brackets were visible. The FAA inspector added that an examination of the right main landing gear repaired areas did not reveal any indications of an inadequate repair. The FAA inspector concluded by reporting that in his opinion the accident was the result of a hard landing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N671T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N671T), registered now, S/N 990010-M (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Nicholson 2000 - Registry model: [Nicholson Mark SERIES 2000](https://openairdocs.org/model/nicholson-mark-series-2000) (registry code 05611NH) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-550 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-550-series) (registry code 17042, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 990010M - Airframe hours: 568 - Engines: Continental Motors Inc. IO-550 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Mary A Nicholson - Registered owner: Vangard Energy LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, September 17, 2010, 87 hours before - Departed: FFZ, Mesa, AZ - Destination: SEZ, Sedona, AZ - Airport: SEZ, Sedona Airport, runway 21, 5,132 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 16, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 250 total, 122 in this make and model, 106 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: FLG, 17 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 20110727017409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110727017409A), Jul 27, 2011: Nicholson Mark SERIES 2000, Sedona, AZ, Substantial damage. N671T departed falcon field (ffz) in mesa Wednesday July 27, 2011SOMETIME in the afternoon. Upon arrival at Sedona Airport (sez), the aircraft entered the… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 30, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81371. 938 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 485 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40361403&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 143 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40361407&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Weather Data (item 3, .PDF, 46 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40361405&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Data-Master.PDF - Witness Statement (item 4, .PDF, 90 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40361406&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 5, .PDF, 139 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40361548&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Master.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 6, .PDF, 35 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40361409&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-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.