On September 27, 1991, a Beech 35 (registration N2957V) operated by Clinton H. Leeland was involved in an aviation accident near Cheswold, DE. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a hard touchdown and subsequent gear collapse. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
Aircraft sustained significant damage after a hard landing with a right crab, causing the right gear to break away and the plane to veer into a ditch.
What happened
The pilot executed a landing that resulted in a hard touchdown near the approach end of runway 27. The aircraft was aligned with a 20-degree right crab at the moment of impact. Upon contact with the pavement, the right landing gear assembly broke away from the airframe. The airplane continued its forward momentum for approximately 150 feet down the length of the runway before veering sharply to the right.
The aircraft ultimately came to rest after striking a small drainage ditch located about 20 feet north of the runway edge.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a hard touchdown and subsequent gear collapse.
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