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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

August 6, 1997 · Cessna 310K · N124SP

Bainbridge, GA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 6, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Bainbridge, GA
Aircraft
Cessna 310K
Tail Number
N124SP
Operator
Pierce M Godwin
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL97LA112

After receiving a ferry permit with the stipulation that the landing gear remain extended, the pilot took off for a short flight. Enroute he encountered some turbulence, and was concerned about the condition of the landing gear. The pilot stated he decided to make a soft landing at the destination airport. As he was over the runway, he pulled back the power, and the airplane sunk to the ground at a high rate. After the hard landing, the right tire blew, and the right propeller struck the runway.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to properly perform the soft landing procedure, leading to a hard landing.

Full Narrative

On August 6, 1997, about 1415 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 310K, N124SP, landed hard at the Decatur County Industrial Airpark (BGE), Bainbridge, Georgia. The ferry flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The commercial pilot sustained no injuries and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight departed Tallahassee Regional Airport, Tallahassee, Florida, at 1400. The pilot reported that, on August 6, 1997, he obtained a ferry permit from the Orlando Flight Standards District Office, for a flight from Tallahassee to Bainbridge. The permit had a restriction to fly with the gear extended. The pilot stated he encountered light turbulence around the Bainbridge area. He stated that he was concerned about his landing gear and entered a downwind for runway 27 to set up for a slow approach for a soft landing. He encountered light turbulence on final, subsequently landing hard on the runway. The right tire blew and the right propeller impacted the ground. He taxied off of the runway and shut down the engines. He then observed the right propeller damage. The tire was replaced and the airplane was towed to the tie down area. According to the mechanic who inspected the airplane, the right wing, landing gear well, and right fuselage all had substantial damage. The left wing, left nacelle, and right propeller were also damaged. The FAA inspector stated that the pilot was attempting to make a soft touchdown on the runway. When the airplane was over the runway, the pilot reduced the power all the way, and the airplane "fell like a rock".

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:15 EDT
Nearest AirportDecatur Co. Ind. Airpark (1nm W)
Runway27
Runway Length5002 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 310K
Tail NumberN124SP
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPierce M Godwin
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-470 · Reciprocating · 260
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 55 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind225°
Visibility6 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:58
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data