On July 27, 1985, a Cessna 425 (registration N6887B) was involved in an aviation accident near Manahawkin, NJ. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot, distracted by a passenger's warning about a tower, inadvertently pulled the power levers into reverse while aiming to lose altitude, causing the aircraft to land short, collide with the runway, and then veer left, collapsing the left main landing gear.
Synopsis
A pilot overflew an airfield and decided to land on runway 22. During the approach, the pilot was focusing on airspeed and altitude. A tower located east of the flight path was noticed but not considered a problem. On final approach, a passenger distracted the pilot by saying to watch out for the tower. The pilot looked for the tower and continued the approach.
Sequence of Events
Approximately 800 feet from the runway threshold, the pilot reduced power to lose altitude. In doing so, the pilot inadvertently pulled the power levers into reverse. The aircraft lost airspeed quickly and landed about 40 feet short of the runway in soft sand. The aircraft then collided with the asphalt runway and became airborne again. It landed hard on the runway about 100 feet past the threshold and veered left.
Damage
The left main landing gear rolled off the left side of the runway and collapsed.