Accident Details
On March 28, 2011, about 0825 central daylight time, a Cessna 425 multi-engine airplane, registration N410VE, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain at Hemphill County Airport (HHF) in Canadian, Texas. The aircraft was operated by Crown Supply Corporation of Grand Junction, Colorado. The flight originated from Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT) around 0545 mountain daylight time and was en route to HHF under an instrument flight rules flight plan. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time.
Flight and Landing Sequence
The pilot conducted a straight-in global positioning system (GPS) approach to runway 22. Upon breaking out of the base of the clouds, the pilot reported being directly over the end of the runway. He then remained clear of the clouds and executed a no-flap circling approach to the opposite direction runway. The pilot stated that his airspeed was high at touchdown, resulting in a hard landing that caused the right main landing gear tire to blow. Witnesses and passengers reported that the airplane bounced several times, leading to the collapse of the left main landing gear. The aircraft came to a stop approximately 300 feet from the runway centerline.
Aircraft Damage
Post-accident examination revealed that the airframe structure where the nose landing gear attached was bent and torn. The fuselage was buckled in several locations, and the left wing spar was bent. No preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures were found that would have precluded normal operation.
Weather Conditions
At 0825, the automated weather observing system at HHF reported winds from 140 degrees at 5 knots, visibility of 5 miles, overcast clouds at 600 feet, temperature 1 degree Celsius, dew point 0 degrees Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 29.98 inches of Mercury.