Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary SEA06LA100

Battle Ground, WA, USA

Aircraft #1

N131HM

Cessna T210L

Analysis

The pilot's first approach to land resulted in a go-around, followed by a second approach, which was high and fast, culminating in a hard landing. After the airplane bounced the pilot applied brakes, but was not able to stop on the grass/turf runway. The airplane subsequently overran the end of the runway before impacting trees and a fence prior to being consumed by fire. There were no precrash anomalies noted with the airplane.

Factual Information

On May 18, 2006, at 2009 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna T210L single-engine airplane, N131HM, was destroyed while landing at a private airstrip near Battle Ground, Washington. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual. The certificated private pilot received serious injuries, while the two passengers sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross-country flight, which was operated in accordance with 14 CFR Part 91, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight departed Boeing Field/King County International Airport, Seattle, Washington, at 1900, with its destination being the Buzzard Flats airstrip, near Battle Ground, Washington. According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report (NTSB form 6120.1), the pilot reported that the first approach to Runway 07 (1,730 feet long and 130 feet wide) resulted in a missed approach and go-around. The pilot stated that on his second landing attempt the airplane bounced and he tried applying brakes, but he was unable to stop on the grass turf [runway] before the aircraft impacted a fence and trees. The airplane came to rest in and upright position and was subsequently consumed by fire. The pilot reported no precrash anomalies with the airplane. A Federal Aviation Safety Inspector, who traveled to the accident site, reported that the right front seat passenger, a certificated commercial pilot, revealed to the inspector that the airplane's approach to the private airstrip was high and fast. The inspector also reported that flight control continuity and a detailed examination of the wreckage was not possible, due to the destructive nature of the accident. At 1953, the weather reporting at the Pearson Field Airport (VUO), Vancouver, Washington, located 9 nautical miles south of the accident site, reported wind variable at 3 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, sky clear, temperature 26 degree C, dew point 10 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 29.80 inches of Mercury.

Probable Cause and Findings

the pilot's excessive airspeed and exceeding the proper touchdown point during landing, which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent overrun of the runway. Factors contributing to the accident included the fence, the trees and the pilot's failure to perform an aborted landing.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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