On March 16, 2000, a Beech A36 (registration N367T) operated by Blaine L. Hirsche was involved in an aviation accident near Provo, UT. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot misjudging the flare. Factors were dark night conditions, and the pilot's lack of recent experience in the type of operation (night landings). This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot flying to regain night currency experienced a hard landing that led to a nose gear collapse and tire blowout, causing the aircraft to slide on the runway.
Incident Overview
A pilot conducting a flight to regain night currency reported that the landing approach was "completely in order" and that all configurations were properly set. The pilot aimed directly for the mid-portion of the runway. During the flare, as power was reduced, the aircraft landed "hard" and subsequently "ballooned" back into the air. Upon the second touchdown, the nose landing gear collapsed, and the aircraft slid down the center of the runway.
Post-Accident Inspection
An FAA inspector conducted a postaccident examination of the aircraft. The nose tire was found to have blown out in three separate locations within the tread area. Furthermore, the nose landing gear assembly had been sheared off at the thickest part of the casting. The separated assembly was located approximately 300 feet behind the aircraft's final position on the runway.
Flight Purpose
The pilot's stated purpose for the flight was to regain night currency, as required by regulations for carrying passengers at night.