Casualties unknown

Hard Landing During Fourth ILS Approach After Three Missed Attempts (N636SP)

Butler, PA, US

On November 7, 1995, a Fairchild MERLIN IIIA (registration N636SP) was involved in an aviation accident near Butler, PA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: failure of the pilot to perform a missed approach, when the airplane was not properly aligned with the landing runway; and his failure to properly flare the airplane, which resulted 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 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

During the fourth ILS approach, the airplane cleared clouds 300 feet above ground and 150 feet right of runway. The pilot made banking maneuvers to align, resulting in a hard landing on left main, nose, and right main wheels. No preimpact failure found.

Approach Sequence

The pilot and copilot flew four instrument landing system (ILS) approaches at their destination airport. The first three attempts resulted in missed approaches; two of those were due to non-alignment with the runway. During the fourth ILS approach, the airplane cleared the clouds at 300 feet above the ground and 150 feet to the right of the runway.

Alignment and Landing

To align the airplane with the runway, the pilot banked the airplane left, then right. Subsequently, the airplane landed hard on the left main wheels, followed by the nose wheel, and then the right main wheels.

Post-Accident Examination

Examination of the airplane revealed no preimpact failure of the airplane or its engines. The fuel flow of both engines had been set to allow a maximum rate of descent when the engines were at idle.

Pilot Statement

The pilot initially reported that he "didn't know what happened...the airplane just seemed to suddenly quit flying, and fell out of the sky."

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001207X04913. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.