WPR15CA031

NTSB accident investigation · SIAI Marchetti S211 · Borrego Valley, CA · October 24, 2014

Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal report
Date
October 24, 2014, 16:45 local (23:45 UTC)
Place
Borrego Valley, CA
Injuries
2 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Landing
Aircraft
N211JYSIAI Marchetti S211
Defining event
Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report March 10, 2015
Report
Approved by Office Director
NTSB office
Western Pacific Region
Parties
Federal Aviation Administration
FAA report
20141024022649A
Case key
90340

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

The NTSB’s determination of the probable cause, and any contributing factors.

The private pilot's premature landing flare and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action, which resulted in a hard landing.

Findings · 3

NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings.

Analysis

The private pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was for him to receive instruction from the rear-seated flight instructor (CFI). Following departure, they flew to a nearby airport with the intent of performing touch-and-go practice takeoffs and landings. As the airplane approached the touchdown zone, the private pilot prematurely flared. The CFI assumed control of the airplane and decreased the pitch attitude while simultaneously applying engine power. Despite his attempts, the airplane contacted the runway hard in a nose-high attitude. The CFI opted to abort the landing and climbed to traffic pattern altitude to verify proper control input. He landed on the same runway without incident. In the section titled "RECOMMENDATION" in the NTSB Pilot/Operator Report, form 6120.1/2, the pilots stated that the accident could have been prevented if they had flared closer to the runway. During the impact sequence, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage structure. Both pilots reported that there were no pre impact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Factual narrative

The private pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was for him to receive instruction from the rear-seated certified flight instructor (CFI). Following departure, they flew to a nearby airport with the intent of performing touch-and-go practice takeoffs and landings. As the airplane approached the touchdown zone, the private pilot prematurely flared. The CFI assumed control of the airplane and decreased the pitch attitude while simultaneously applying engine power. Despite his attempts, the airplane contacted the runway hard in a nose-high attitude. The CFI opted to abort the landing and climbed to traffic pattern altitude to verify proper control input. He landed on the same runway without incident.In the section titled "RECOMMENDATION" in the NTSB Pilot/Operator Report, form 6120.1/2, the pilots stated that the accident could have been prevented if they had flared closer to the runway. During the impact sequence, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage structure. Both pilots reported that there were no pre impact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident.

Aircraft

Registration
N211JY
Reported as
SIAI Marchetti S211 (A)
Category
Airplane
Serial number
013/02-010
Airframe hours
6,018
Engine
Pratt and Whitney JT150-4C, 2,500 horsepower, turbo fan
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Instructional · Part 91
Operator
Progenitech LLC
Registered owner
Progenitech LLC
Airworthiness certificate
Special, Experimental (Special)
Last inspection
Condition · July 15, 2014
Departed
KRNM · Ramona, CA
Destination
L08 · Borrego Valley, CA
Airport
L08 · Borrego Valley, runway 26, 5,011 × 75 ft, asphalt

Flight crew · 2

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Flight instructor
Age
60
Injuries
None
Certificates
Airline transport, Flight instructor
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 1, With waivers/limitations
Seat
Rear
Restraint
5-point
Flight hours
28,014 total · 85 in this make and model · 18,000 as pilot in command · 170 in the last 90 days · 60 in the last 30 days · 2 in the last 24 hours
Role
Student pilot
Age
60
Injuries
None
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Multi-engine land, Single-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 3, With waivers/limitations
Seat
Front
Flight hours
3,000 total · 13 in this make and model · 2,600 as pilot in command · 40 in the last 90 days · 10 in the last 30 days

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
72 °F

Docket · 2

The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 12, 2015, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 2.1 MB in all.

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.