Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary NYC95LA165

BUFFALO, NY, USA

Aircraft #1

N310JM

CESSNA 310Q

Analysis

The airplane initially touched down on runway 32 with approximately 3981 feet remaining. Runway 32 was 5376 feet long and 150 feet wide. The pilot stated that initial contact with the runway was 'a little harder than usual' and the airplane bounced. He added power, and the airplane began to 'float.' When he reduced power, the right wing struck the ground. The investigation revealed that during the landing sequence, the right main landing gear collapsed. The pilot had stated to FAA inspector(s) that during initial touchdown, he was 'glad this flight was over, he was getting tired.' According to the pilot, he had started work at approximately 1400 and had flown to Albany at about 1830.

Factual Information

On July 19, 1995, about 0200 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 310Q, N310JM, sustained substantial damage during a landing at the Buffalo International Airport (BUF), Buffalo, New York. The commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an IFR flight plan had been filed. The business flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the FAA, the airplane initially touched down on runway 32, approximately 50 feet beyond the intersection of runways 23 and 32 (with approximately 3981 feet remaining). Runway 32 was 5,376 feet long and 150 feet wide. The pilot stated to the FAA Inspector that his: ...initial contact with the runway was "a little harder than usual" and he bounced and noticed that something did not feel right. He added power and the aircraft began to "float." When he reduced power he felt the right wing going down, and around taxiway Q...the right wing touched the ground...he...remembered saying to himself during initial touchdown that he was glad this flight was over, he was getting tired. He had started work at approximately 2:00PM (1400)and had flown to Albany at around 6:30PM (1830). During the landing sequence, the right main landing gear collapsed. The investigation revealed that there were 3 gouges in the runway pavement where the "right prop" first contacted the pavement abeam the intersection of runway 32 and taxiway Q. The airplane continued on the runway for approximately 1500 feet, departing the right side of the runway before coming to rest in the grass. At the time of the accident, the pilot had 3,407.6 total flight hours, 1,236.6 night flight hours and 243 flight hours in this make and model airplane. The BUF 0211 weather was; 8,500 scattered, 10,000 broken, visibility 15 miles, temperature 68 degrees F, dew point 57 degrees F, wind 290 degrees, 7 knots, altimeter 29.87 inches Hg.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot misjudged the flare, resulting in a hard landing and subsequent collapse of the right main landing gear. Pilot fatigue was a related factor.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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