GENERAL INFORMATION FOR NTSB REPORT: FTW02LA123
Data Source NTSB AVIATION ACCIDENT/INCIDENT DATABASE
NTSB Report Nbr FTW02LA123
Event Id 20020422X00563
Local Date 04/16/2002
Local Time 1840
State TX
City CLEVELAND
Airport Name CLEVELAND MUNI
Event Type ACCIDENT
Injury Severity NONE
Record Status FINAL
Mid Air Collision NO
Event Location ON AIRPORT/AIRSTRIP

WEATHER INFORMATION
Weather Briefing Complete NOT PERTINENT
Basic Weather Conditions VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL COND
Light Condition DAY
Cloud Condition CLEAR
Cloud Type NONE
Visibility (sm) 10
Wind Direction (deg) 150
Wind Condition Flag Y
Wind Speed (knots) 11

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION
Aircraft 1
Type of Operation PART 91: GENERAL AVIATION
Registration Number N355BH
Aircraft Make Halfacre
Aircraft Model Velocity
Aircraft Damage SUBSTANTIAL
Aircraft Fire NONE
Aircraft Explosion NONE
Aircraft Type AIRPLANE
Aircraft Homebuilt UNKNOWN
Phase of Flight LANDING - FLARE/TOUCHDOWN
Aircraft Use PERSONAL
Flight Plan Filed NONE
Owner Name Rick Price
Number of Seats 4
Number of Engines 1
ELT Installed YES
ELT Operated NO
Departure Airport Id 6R3
Departure City Cleveland
Departure State TEXAS
Last Departure Point NO
Destination Local CRASH AT DESTINATION CITY
Destination Airport Id 6R3
Destination City Cleveland
Destination State TEXAS
Runway Id 16
Runway Length 4997
Runway Width 75
Air Carrier Operating Certificates NO
Air Carrier Other Operating Certificates UNKNOWN
Cert Max Gross Wgt 2250

ENGINE INFORMATION

Aircraft 1 - Engine : #1
Engine Manufactuer Lycoming
Engine Model O-360-A3A
Engine Horsepower 180
Engine Thrust HP
Carb/Injection FUEL INJECTED
Propeller Type FIXED PITCH

INJURY INFORMATION
Injury Summary for Aircraft 1
Fatal Serious Minor None
Crew 0 0 0 0
Pass 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 1
Sequence of Events for Aircraft 1
Occurrence #1
HARD LANDING
Phase of Operation: LANDING - FLARE/TOUCHDOWN

Events Sequence for Occurrence #1 of Aircraft 1
Event Seq # Event Group Code Subject Modifier Personnel Cause/Factor
1 2 PROPER DESCENT RATE NOT MAINTAINED PILOT IN COMMAND CAUSE
2 1 WEATHER CONDITION GUSTS FACTOR




AIRCRAFT 1 PRELIMINARY REPORT


On April 16, 2002, at 1840 central daylight time, a Halfacre Velocity single-engine homebuilt airplane, N355BH, was substantially damaged during a hard landing near Cleveland, Texas. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The local flight departed the Cleveland Municipal Airport, Cleveland, Texas, approximately 1750. According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot reported that as he was beginning his flare prior to touchdown, he encountered a "rotor" (a strong gust of wind) which "caused a high descent rate." The airplane contacted the ground short of the runway, and the left main gear separated. The airplane continued down the runway on the nose gear, right main gear, and left wingtip. Subsequently, the airplane departed the left side of the runway, where the nose gear and right main landing gear separated. According to the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, the airplane impacted terrain 48 feet short of runway 16. It then slid approximately 234 feet down the runway, coming to rest upright 30 feet off the left side of the runway. At 1853, the Conroe, Texas, Automated Weather Observation Service (AWOS), located 22 miles west of the accident site, reported the wind from 150 degrees at 11 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, sky clear, temperature 26 degrees C, dew point 21 degrees C, and an altimeter of 30.00 inches of mercury.

AIRCRAFT 1 FINAL REPORT


As the pilot was beginning his flare prior to touchdown, he encountered a strong gust of wind which resulted in a high rate of descent. The airplane impacted the ground 48 feet short of the runway, where the left main landing gear separated. Subsequently, the airplane slid 234 feet down the runway on its nose gear, right main landing gear, and left wingtip. The aircraft came to rest 30 feet off the left side of the runway in an upright position.

AIRCRAFT 1 CAUSE REPORT


the pilot's failure to maintain the proper descent rate during the landing flare/touchdown.


END REPORT