No fatalities

27 Oct 2019: HIGGINS JOHN H/WILLIAMS JOHN D QUESTAIR VENTURE MDL 20 — Daytona Beach, FL

Daytona Beach, FL, United States

On 27 Oct 2019, a HIGGINS JOHN H/WILLIAMS JOHN D QUESTAIR VENTURE MDL 20 was involved in an aviation accident near Daytona Beach, FL. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's unstabilized approach, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing, loss of directional control, and impact with a tree and then terrain. This summary draws on records from NTSB.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

During landing, an unstable approach with excessive descent rate led to a hard touchdown at the displaced threshold. The airplane bounced, veered right, exited the runway, impacted terrain, and a post-crash fire ensued, causing substantial damage.

Introduction

The accident involved a hard landing and post-crash fire following an unstable approach. The pilot reported that the approach was characterized by an excessive descent rate. Video evidence confirmed a hard touchdown at the displaced threshold, after which the airplane bounced and veered right.

Sequence of Events

According to the pilot, the approach during landing was unstable. Surveillance video footage captured the subsequent events: the airplane touched down hard at the start of the displaced threshold, bounced, veered to the right, and departed the side of the runway. It then impacted terrain, and a post-crash fire ignited.

Aircraft Damage

The airplane sustained thermal damage and substantial structural damage to both wings and the fuselage.

Pilot Report

The pilot did not report any preaccident mechanical failure or malfunction that would have prevented normal operation. Additionally, the pilot did not submit the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report Form 6120.1.

Contributing factors

PilotDescent/approach/glide path — Not attained/maintainedDirectional control — Not attained/maintainedEffect on operation