On March 7, 1992, a Beech C23 (registration N9183S) operated by Hill, C. Richard was involved in an aviation accident near Ozark, MO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the simulated forced landing, which resulted in a stall and a hard landing that collapsed the right main landing gear. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A dual student pilot practicing night instruction experienced a hard landing during a simulated forced approach. The right main gear collapsed upon impact, causing the aircraft to slide into a tree line.
What happened
A private-rated pilot was receiving night flight instruction in a dual-control configuration. During the lesson, the crew practiced a simulated forced landing procedure. As the aircraft approached the runway threshold, it struck the ground with excessive vertical speed. The impact caused the right main landing gear to collapse immediately. Following the initial contact, the airplane slid across the surface and came to a stop against a line of trees.
The investigation
Post-accident examination confirmed significant damage to the right main landing gear assembly. The instructor provided a detailed account of the events leading up to the impact. He noted that the aircraft was stalled at an altitude of approximately 10 feet above the ground. This stall condition resulted in the hard touchdown on the right main gear, which subsequently broke off from the airframe.
Findings
The primary factor in this accident was the loss of control due to a stall during the final phase of flight. The aircraft was operated below its minimum safe speed for landing, leading to an uncontrolled descent. The structural failure of the landing gear was a direct consequence of the excessive impact forces generated by the hard landing.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the simulated forced landing, which resulted in a stall and a hard landing that collapsed the right main landing gear.