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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

May 3, 1994 · Cessna 421A · N2211W

Richlands, VA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 3, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Richlands, VA
Aircraft
Cessna 421A
Tail Number
N2211W
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC94LA084

THE PILOT STATED THAT THE APPROACH WAS NORMAL. HE REPORTED: 'UPON TOUCHDOWN THE NOSE VIBRATED AND WENT FAR BELOW THE NORMAL POSITION. I QUICKLY APPLIED FULL BACK PRESSURE ON THE CONTROL YOKE AND THE MAINS FELL BACK TO THE RUNWAY.' FAA INSPECTORS REPORTED: 'INVESTIGATION...REVEALED EVIDENCE AND AIRCRAFT DAMAGE CONSISTENT WITH HARD LANDING IMPACT WITH RUNWAY SURFACE. PILOT HAD MINIMAL FLIGHT EXPERIENCE IN [THIS] MODEL AIRCRAFT.' BOTH WINGS WERE OBSERVED TO BE BENT DOWN DURING THE EXAMINATION BY THE FAA INSPECTORS. THE PILOT HAD A TOTAL OF 6 HOURS IN THIS MODEL AIRPLANE.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE HARD LANDING, AS A RESULT OF THE PILOT'S MISJUDGED RATE OF DESCENT. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LIMITED EXPERIENCE IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL AIRPLANE.

Full Narrative

On Tuesday, May 3, 1994, at 1430 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 421A, N2211W, registered to David C. Prince and piloted by David M. Yates, sustained substantial damage during a landing at the Tazewell County Airport, Richlands, Virginia. The pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot performed a landing on runway 07. He said that the approach and landing were "normal." After touchdown, the nose wheel started to "shimmy." He stated that he applied more back pressure on the control wheel to relieve the shimmy and then experienced difficulty maintaining directional control. The pilot reported that the winds were light, but there was some turbulence during the approach. Inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration examined the airplane and observed both wing spars were "bent down and the wings were drooping." In a report, Inspector James H. Pool stated: Investigation...revealed evidence and aircraft damage consistent with hard landing impact with runway surface. The pilot has minimal flight experience in Cessna 421 model aircraft. The pilot reported that his total flight time in the Cessna 421 was 6 hours.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 EDT
Nearest AirportTazewell County (0nm)
Runway7
Runway Length4500 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 421A
Tail NumberN2211W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · GTSIO-520-D · Reciprocating · 375
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 38 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind45° @ 10 kt
Visibility8 sm
CeilingOvercast 3000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data