Aero Commander 200D
Tecumseh, MI — July 31, 2008
Event Information
| Date | July 31, 2008 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | CHI08CA225 |
| Event ID | 20080902X01357 |
| Location | Tecumseh, MI |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 42.02500, -83.93916 |
| Airport | Meyers - Diver's Airport |
| Highest Injury | SERS |
Aircraft
| Make | Aero Commander |
| Model | 200D |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 1 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 0 |
| Total Injured | 1 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot flaring too high, and his inadvertent pilot-induced oscillation during the landing flare/touchdown. Contributing to the accident was the collapse of the nose landing gear.
Full Narrative
The pilot reported that the landing approach was uneventful up to the flare and touchdown. He increased engine power just prior to landing because he thought the airplane was slow. He rounded-out and flared higher than normal, and then the airplane "hit hard" on all three landing gear. The airplane began to porpoise between the nose and main landing gear, but eventually settled onto all three landing gear. The airplane then made an uncommanded left swerve that the pilot was unable to counteract. The nose landing gear separated from the airplane when the airplane nose impacted a non-breakaway steel runway light. The airplane then nosed over in the grass easement off the left side of the runway. The cabin roof, engine firewall, rudder, and vertical stabilizer were substantially damaged. The pilot was seriously injured with a broken neck. The airplane was not equipped with shoulder harnesses.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.