On July 29, 1994, a Cessna 421C (registration N819RA) was involved in an aviation accident near Oshkosh, WI. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's hard landing during a short-field approach, which resulted in structural damage to the right wing and propulsion components. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot reported a hard landing on a short runway, resulting in a flat right main tire, damaged propeller, and wing wrinkles. No brake anomalies were found.
What happened
The pilot was attempting to execute a short landing on the available runway. Upon bringing the airplane to a complete stop, the crew observed significant damage to the airframe and propulsion system. The right main tire was found to be flat, and the right propeller sustained damage. Additionally, inspection of the airframe revealed wrinkles in the right wing structure located between the nacelle and the wing root.
The investigation
Following the incident, the pilot engaged in a conversation with an FAA inspector, stating that the landing itself was hard. A subsequent mechanical inspection was conducted to determine the extent of the damage and rule out pre-existing conditions. The brake system was examined thoroughly and no anomalies were detected. Furthermore, there was no indication of previous failure or wear on the tire prior to the event.
Probable cause
The pilot's hard landing during a short-field approach, which resulted in structural damage to the right wing and propulsion components.