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May 19, 2011 · Socata TBM-850 · N1UL

Salem, OH

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 19, 2011
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 3 uninjured
Location
Salem, OH
Aircraft
Socata TBM-850
Tail Number
N1UL
Operator
Urschel Laboratories
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN11LA345

The pilot reported that he flew an instrument approach and was clear of clouds about 650 feet above ground level when he proceeded visually to the airport. About 1/2 mile from the runway, he thought the airplane was too high, but a few seconds later the airplane felt like it had an excessive rate of descent. His attempts to arrest the rate of descent were unsuccessful, and the left main landing gear struck the ground about 120 feet prior to the runway threshold. The recorded data downloaded from the airplane's non-volatile memory showed that the airplane's airspeed varied from about 71 - 81 knots indicated airspeed (IAS) during the 10 seconds prior to ground impact. The data also indicated that there was about a 3 - 5 knot tailwind during the final landing approach. The airplane's stall speed with the airplane in the landing configuration with landing flaps was 64 knots IAS at maximum gross weight. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction or system failure of the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Descent/approach/glide path-Not attained/maintained - C

Full Narrative

On May 19, 2011, at 0843 eastern daylight time, a Socata TBM-850, N1UL, sustained substantial damage when the airplane impacted the terrain about 120 feet prior to the approach end of runway 10L (3,404 feet by 50 feet, asphalt) at the Salem Airpark (38D), Salem, Ohio. The private pilot and two passengers were not injured, but a third passenger received serious injuries. The airplane was registered to Urschel Air Leasing, LLC, and operated by Urschel Laboratories, Inc., as a business flight under the provisions of the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. An instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed. The flight departed the Porter County Regional Airport (VPZ), Valparaiso, Indiana, at 0722. The pilot reported that Akron Approach Control cleared the flight to fly the GPS-A instrument approach to 38D. At GEOFF, the final approach fix, the airplane was level at 3,000 feet above mean sea level (msl). The pilot lowered the landing gear and the flaps to begin the descent. The airplane broke out of the clouds about 1,800 feet msl and the pilot proceeded visually to the airport. He circled to the right in order to make a landing on runway 10. The pilot reported that the winds were a direct crosswind from 190 degrees at 10 knots. He reported that he had calculated that the landing distance would be 1,400 feet, and he intended to land near the approach end of the runway. He turned onto the final leg about 2 miles from the airport while maintaining about 85 - 90 knots indicated airspeed (IAS) on the approach with full flaps and descending about 400 feet per minute. He reported that about 1/2 mile from the runway, he thought the airplane was too high, but "a few seconds later" the airplane felt like it "literally just dropped out of the sky." He immediately applied full power and pitched the nose up to perform a go-around, but "the application of power was too late" and the left main landing gear struck the ground about 120 feet prior to the runway threshold. The airplane came to a stop about 120 feet past the runway threshold on the left side of the runway. The Garmin GPS 1000 MFD (multi-function display) flash card, which recorded the airplane's performance and waypoint data, was downloaded. The recorded data indicated that the airplane's airspeed varied from about 71 - 81 knots IAS during the 10 seconds prior to ground impact. The data also indicated that the airplane's ground speed averaged about 3 - 5 knots higher than the IAS during the final approach. The Socata TBM-850 Pilot Operating Handbook indicates that the stall speed with the airplane in the landing configuration with landing flaps was 64 knots IAS at maximum gross weight. The pilot indicated in his report to the National Transportation Safety Board that there was no mechanical malfunction or system failure of the airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:43 EDT
Nearest AirportSalem Airpark (0nm)
Runway10L
Runway Length3404 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSocata TBM-850
Tail NumberN1UL
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorUrschel Laboratories
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney Canada · PT6A-66D · Turboprop · 850
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 3 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total4
Crew 1Age 33 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 5 kt
Visibility2.5 sm
CeilingOvercast 500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 52
Altimeter29.96 inHg
Observation Time12:26
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data