Casualties unknown

1989-04-01: Beech C24R (N23972) — Barton Hodes — Tucson, AZ

Tucson, AZ, US

On April 1, 1989, a Beech C24R (registration N23972) operated by Barton Hodes was involved in an aviation accident near Tucson, AZ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: PILOT MISJUDGED THE LANDING. THE PILOT BEGAN HIS FLARE TOO HIGH ABOVE THE RUNWAY RESULTING IN A HARD LANDING. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

A student pilot practicing touch and go landings in a Beech C24R landed hard on Runway 06 at RYN in Tucson, causing landing gear collapse and the aircraft to slide off the runway.

Incident Details

On an unspecified date, a student pilot was conducting touch and go landing practice on Runway 06 at RYN in Tucson, Arizona, in a Beech C24R aircraft. The pilot reported that he was on approximately his eighth landing when the accident occurred. No mechanical malfunctions or failures were identified with the aircraft prior to the incident.

Sequence of Events

During the landing attempt, the student pilot initiated the flare too high, approximately ten feet above the runway surface. As a result, the airplane dropped hard onto the main landing gear. The nose landing gear collapsed first, followed by the right and left main landing gear. The aircraft then slid off the runway and came to rest on its belly in the dirt area adjacent to the runway.

Aircraft Condition

Following the hard landing, the landing gear sustained significant damage. The airplane came to rest off the runway, supported by its fuselage. The extent of additional damage to the aircraft was not specified in the source. The pilot was able to participate in a telephone interview to discuss the events.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X28111. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.