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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

October 26, 1998 · Aero Commander AC-100 · N5546M

Bridgeton, NJ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 26, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Bridgeton, NJ
Aircraft
Aero Commander AC-100
Tail Number
N5546M
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC99LA018

Approximately 10 miles from the destination airport, the pilot activated the pilot controlled lighting, over-flew the airport and identified the winds as calm. The pilot then made a left downwind entry. He completed the downwind, and base, before turning final approximately 3/4 of a mile from the runway, and 500 feet above the ground. Once on final, the pilot select full flaps and slowed the airplane to 70 mph. The airplane touched down flat, but harder then normal on the turf runway, then rolled approximately 8 feet before the nose gear collapsed. The airplane continued straight ahead for approximately 40 feet then smoothly nosed over. Both the pilot and passenger egressed without injury. The night before the accident the pilot made three takeoffs and landings. Also, the pilot had landed at the accident airport approximately 150 times.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to properly flare the airplane at touchdown.

Full Narrative

On October 26, 1998, at 1850 eastern standard time, an Aero Commander AC-100, N5546M, was substantially damage while landing at Bucks Airport (00N), Bridgeton, New Jersey. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. No flight plan was filed, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated that he departed Sumerset, Pennsylvania, about 1635, and climbed to an en route altitude of 5,500 feet above mean sea level (MSL), while proceeding to Bridgeton. About 10 miles from Bridgeton, the pilot activated the pilot controlled lighting, and over flew the airport to identify wind speed and direction. The pilot stated, "The wind sock was limp." After checking the winds, the pilot made a left downwind entry for Runway 36 at 1,000 feet above MSL. The pilot flew a downwind, and base, before turning final approximately 3/4 of a mile from the runway, and 500 feet above the ground. Once on final, he selected full flaps and slowed the airplane to 70 mph. The pilot added that the approach was "normal" until touchdown. He stated that the airplane "touched down flat, but harder then normal" on the turf runway, then rolled approximately 8 feet before the nose gear was sheared off. The airplane continued straight ahead for approximately 40 feet after shearing off the nose wheel, before it nosed over. The pilot added that the nose over was very smooth. Once the airplane came to rest, both the pilot and passenger egressed without injury. The pilot stated that the night before the accident he had made three takeoffs and landings, and that he had landed at the accident airport about 150 times. He reported about 200 hours of flight experience, of which 186 hours were in make and model.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:50 EST
Nearest AirportBucks Airport (0nm)
Runway36
Runway Length1900 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAero Commander AC-100
Tail NumberN5546M
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 48 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind60° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 54
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time22:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data