Accident Overview
On May 30, 2016, about 0330 central daylight time, a Beech A23-24, registration N5771V, sustained substantial damage during a hard landing on runway 32 at Clintonville Municipal Airport (CLI), Clintonville, Wisconsin. The pilot and one passenger were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the flight was not operated on a flight plan.
Flight History
The flight originated from North Perry Airport (HWO), Hollywood, Florida, on May 29, 2016. The pilot landed at Palatka Municipal Airport (28J), Palatka, Florida, after a 3-hour 20-minute flight. A fuel receipt indicated that the airplane was fueled with 38.8 gallons of fuel at 1430 while at 28J. The next fuel stop was at Perry County Municipal Airport (TEL), Tell, Indiana, where the airplane was fueled with 47 gallons of fuel at 2359. The pilot planned to land at CLI for fuel before proceeding to Langlade County Airport, Antigo, Wisconsin, about 36 nm northwest of CLI. The total time from departure at HWO to the accident was about 15 hours 30 minutes. The pilot reported having a full night of sleep before the initial flight and felt "great" during the last leg.
Conditions and Approach
The pilot reported that the weather during the accident flight was good, without thunderstorms or rain showers. However, surface observation at CLI indicated visual conditions, but the pilot noted ground fog upon arrival. He could see the runway and precision approach path indicator (PAPI) lights through the fog. On final approach, the PAPI lights were white/red down to about 250 ft above ground level, then turned red/red, indicating the airplane was below the glidepath. The pilot corrected by adding power. The airplane was aligned with the runway, and he aimed to land at the start of the lighted runway.
Landing and Aftermath
The pilot described the touchdown as feeling normal, possibly with the rear tires contacting first. However, once on the ground, the nose wheel gave way, dropping the airplane onto the nose wheel, which acted as a skid plate until the airplane stopped about 300 ft down the runway. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the scene. Examination of runway 32 revealed that a yellow-painted runway threshold light had been struck. A tire impact mark was found about 40 ft right of the runway centerline near the start of the asphalt. A tire skid mark continued for about 22 ft to the first propeller strike mark. A second propeller strike mark was located about 5.5 ft from the first. A long scrape mark began near the second propeller strike and continued to where the airplane came to rest, about 370 ft from the start of the asphalt, near the runway centerline.
Aircraft and Runway Examination
The examination of the airplane showed the leading edge of the left horizontal stabilizer was dented and had yellow paint transfer. The nose landing gear had collapsed, with the nose wheel lodged under the airplane, forming an indentation in the belly skin. Both wings exhibited buckling and twisting with damage to the wing spars.