No fatalities

9 Jun 2019: Cessna 421 B — Moriarty, NM

Moriarty, NM, United States

On 9 Jun 2019, a Cessna 421 B was involved in an aviation accident near Moriarty, NM. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's improper landing flare in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a hard landing. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

During approach, the pilot reduced flaps from full to second notch after slowing too much, heard stall warning, landed hard, causing tire failure and wing spar damage.

Incident Summary

A multi-engine airplane experienced a hard landing upon touchdown, resulting in tire failure and substantial damage to the wing spars. The flight crew was able to taxi the aircraft back to the hangar without further incident.

Pilot Report

The pilot reported that during the approach, the aircraft was too high and too fast. He pulled both throttles to idle, causing the airplane to decelerate excessively. Approximately one quarter mile from the runway, he reduced the flaps from full (third notch) to the second notch. As the aircraft crossed the runway threshold, the pilot heard the stall warning horn sound. He initiated a flare, and the airplane landed hard. The left main landing gear and nose wheel tires popped upon touchdown.

Aircraft Damage

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wing spars as a result of the hard landing.

Weather Conditions

The pilot reported that the wind was from 108° at 4 knots, gusting to 19 knots. The landing was performed on runway 08.

Contributing factors

Causes

Landing flare — Not attained/maintainedPilot

Other contributing factors

Effect on operation