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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

January 3, 2004 · Cessna 421C · N911EA

Window Rock, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 3, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (5 uninjured)
Location
Window Rock, AZ
Aircraft
Cessna 421C
Tail Number
N911EA
Operator
Scenic Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX04LA087

The airplane landed hard on the left main gear. The pilot was attempting to execute the VOR/DME-A circling approach in instrument meteorological conditions, to include icing and gusty wind conditions. The pilot believes that during the approach, the airframe accumulated airframe ice. Prior to touchdown, in the landing flare, the airplane stalled prematurely, impacting the runway hard.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed in the landing flare to compensate for airframe icing, which resulted in a premature stall and hard landing. The degraded aircraft performance due to airframe ice was a contributing factor.

Full Narrative

On January 3, 2004, about 1530 mountain standard time, a Cessna 421C, N911EA, landed hard in gusty wind conditions at the Window Rock Airport, Window Rock, Arizona. Scenic Aviation, Inc., was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 135. The airline transport pilot and four passengers were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight plan had been filed. The flight originated from the Flagstaff Pulliam Airport, Flagstaff, Arizona, at 1443, with a planned destination of Window Rock. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that he was attempting to execute the VOR/DME-A circling approach to runway 02. While performing the approach, he noted gusty wind conditions and freezing temperatures. Upon touchdown, the airplane hit hard on the left main landing gear. The pilot opined that due to the severe icing conditions, the airframe possibly accumulated a layer of ice, which contributed to the premature landing stall. At 1510, the weather observation facility (automated surface observing system) at Window Rock Airport reported wind from 260 degrees at 14 knots; light snow; mist; 1 statue mile visibility; broken cloud layer at 900 feet and 1,500 feet; and overcast at 2,200 feet; temperature 1 degree Celsius; dew point -1 degree Celsius; and an altimeter setting of 29.76 inches of mercury. At 1553, the facility reported wind from 290 degrees at 14 knots, gusting to 26 knots; light snow; freezing conditions and fog; 0.5 statue mile visibility; broken cloud layers at 700 feet and 1,300 feet; and overcast at 1,800 feet; temperature -1 degree Celsius; dew point -2 degree Celsius; and an altimeter setting of 29.79 inches of mercury. The Federal Aviation Administration-H-8083-3 Airplane Flying Handbook states, "Degradation of all flight characteristics and large performance losses can be expected with ice accumulation. Ice will accumulate unevenly on the airplane. It will add weight and drag (primarily drag), and decrease thrust and lift." Despite numerous attempts by a Safety Board investigator, both the pilot and operator failed to submit a NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2).

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:30 MST
Nearest AirportWindow Rock Aiport (0nm)
Runway02
Runway Length7000 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 421C
Tail NumberN911EA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorScenic Aviation
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · GTSIO-520 · Reciprocating · 300 | Continental · TSIO-520 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats8

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (5 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured5
Total5
Crew 1Age 58 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 14 kt
Visibility1 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 900 ft
Temperature / Dew Point34 C / 30 C
Altimeter29.76 inHg
Observation Time22:10
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data