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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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April 8, 2011 · Rockwell International 500-S · N51RF

Eden Prairie, MN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 8, 2011
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Eden Prairie, MN
Aircraft
Rockwell International 500-S
Tail Number
N51RF
Operator
United States Department of Commerce
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN11TA279

The pilot reported that he performed a stabilized visual approach with a right crosswind. The airplane touched down on the centerline and subsequently drifted to the right. The pilot overcorrected for the drift and the airplane veered hard to the left. The airplane continued off the left side of the runway and skidded to a complete stop. The right main landing gear collapsed and the right wingtip hit the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and wing. A postaccident inspection of the airplane revealed no preimpact anomalies. The pilot additionally reported that there was no mechanical malfunction or failure.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind while landing, which resulted in a loss of directional control.

Full Narrative

On April 8, 2011, at 1730 central daylight time, a Rockwell International 500-S, N51RF, sustained substantial damage during the landing roll when the right main landing gear collapsed after the airplane veered off the left side of runway 10R (5,000 feet by 100 feet, asphalt) at the Flying Cloud Airport (FCM), Eden Prairie, Minnesota. The commercial pilot and the airline transport co-pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane departed FCM at 1500 on a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight, and had filed a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan. The pilot reported that he flew a stabilized visual approach with the airplane properly configured for landing. The airplane touched down on the centerline but it drifted to the right, and then "immediately went hard left." The pilot and co-pilot attempted to control the airplane and maintain centerline, but the airplane veered off the left side of the runway. The airplane skidded to a complete stop. The right main landing gear collapsed and the right wingtip hit the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and wing. The postaccident inspection of the airplane revealed no pre-impact anomalies. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction or failure. At 1653, the surface weather observation at FCM was: wind 170 degrees at 24 knots, visibility 10 miles, overcast 5,500 feet, temperature 16 degrees Celsius (C), dew point 6 degrees C, altimeter 29.90 inches of mercury. The airplane was registered to and operated by the Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as a public aircraft. Because they are operated as public aircraft, they are not subject to many of the Federal Aviation Regulations. Exceptions being use of airspace, air traffic control, and aircraft registration regulations. However, it is NOAA policy that aircraft shall be operated and maintained in accordance with all pertinent regulations issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Department of Defense (DOD), and the NOAA Aircraft Operations Center (AOC), unless a deviation is approved by the Commanding Officer, AOC.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:30 CDT
Nearest AirportFlying Cloud Airport (0nm)
Runway10R
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRockwell International 500-S
Tail NumberN51RF
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorUnited States Department of Commerce
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TI0-540-E1B5 · Reciprocating · 290 | Lycoming · TI0-540 SER · Reciprocating · 310
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 31 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 43 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 14 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 5500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 43 C
Altimeter29.89 inHg
Observation Time21:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data