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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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August 3, 1989 · Convair 640 (340D) · N5509K

Atlanta, GA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 3, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Atlanta, GA
Aircraft
Convair 640 (340D)
Tail Number
N5509K
Operator
Zantop International
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL89FA189

DURING THE DESCENT TO THE OUTER MARKER FOR A VISUAL APPROACH WITH AN ILS BACKUP TO RUNWAY 26R, THE PILOT IN COMMAND DID NOT DESCEND TO A POINT WHERE A STABILIZED APPROACH TO LANDING COULD BE COMPLETED. THE AIRPLANE REPORTEDLY CROSSED THE OUTER MARKER WITH A FULL SCALE FLY DOWN DEFLECTION ON THE ILS GLIDE SLOPE INDICATOR. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE ATTAINED THE GLIDE SLOPE FROM ABOVE WHEN HE WAS ABOUT ONE MILE FROM THE THRESHOLD. THE AIRPLANE WAS FLARED FOR LANDING AT AN EXCESSIVE ALTITUDE AND TOUCHDOWN WAS NOT MADE UNTIL AT LEAST 1,500 FEET DOWN THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN HARD, BOUNCED AND ON THE SECOND TOUCHDOWN MADE RUNWAY CONTACT WITH ALL THREE GEARS OR POSSIBLY SLIGHTLY NOSE GEAR FIRST. THE NOSE GEAR DRAG LINK FRACTURED, THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE AIRPLANE CAME TO A STOP ON ITS MAIN GEAR AND THE FUSELAGE NOSE.

NTSB Probable Cause

PILOT IN COMMAND FAILED TO PLACE THE AIRPLANE AT A POSITION FROM WHICH A STABILIZED APPROACH TO LANDING COULD BE MADE. HIS PROCEDURE FOR THE RECOVERY FROM THE BOUNCED LANDING WAS INADEQUATE AND THE NOSE GEAR STRUCTURAL STRENGTH WAS EXCEEDED DURING FOLLOWING TOUCHDOWNS.

Full Narrative

DURING THE DESCENT TO THE OUTER MARKER FOR A VISUAL APPROACH WITH AN ILS BACKUP TO RUNWAY 26R, THE PILOT IN COMMAND DID NOT DESCEND TO A POINT WHERE A STABILIZED APPROACH TO LANDING COULD BE COMPLETED. THE AIRPLANE REPORTEDLY CROSSED THE OUTER MARKER WITH A FULL SCALE FLY DOWN DEFLECTION ON THE ILS GLIDE SLOPE INDICATOR. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE ATTAINED THE GLIDE SLOPE FROM ABOVE WHEN HE WAS ABOUT ONE MILE FROM THE THRESHOLD. THE AIRPLANE WAS FLARED FOR LANDING AT AN EXCESSIVE ALTITUDE AND TOUCHDOWN WAS NOT MADE UNTIL AT LEAST 1,500 FEET DOWN THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN HARD, BOUNCED AND ON THE SECOND TOUCHDOWN MADE RUNWAY CONTACT WITH ALL THREE GEARS OR POSSIBLY SLIGHTLY NOSE GEAR FIRST. THE NOSE GEAR DRAG LINK FRACTURED, THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE AIRPLANE CAME TO A STOP ON ITS MAIN GEAR AND THE FUSELAGE NOSE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:36 EDT
Nearest AirportAtlanta Hartsfield (0nm N)
Runway26R
Runway Length9000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftConvair 640 (340D)
Tail NumberN5509K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorZantop International
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsRolls-Royce · DART10MK542-4 · Turboprop · 2750
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 44 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind350° @ 5 kt
Visibility4 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time12:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data