EASTON, MD, USA
N9313S
BEECH C23
THE STUDENT AND INSTRUCTOR WERE PRACTICING A SIMULATED SHORT FIELD APPROACH TO RUNWAY 22. DURING THE LANDING FLARE, THE STUDENT PILOT RETRACTED THE FLAPS AND THE AIRPLANE LANDED HARD. THE NOSE WHEEL COLLAPSED AND THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST ON THE RUNWAY. POSTACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT BY THE FAA, REVEALED NO PREACCIDENT MECHANICAL FAILURES OR DEFICIENCIES.
On June 29, 1994, about 1100 eastern daylight time, a Beech C23, N9313S, was substantially damaged during landing at the Easton/Newnam Field Airport, Easton, Maryland. The Certified Flight Instructor and student pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The flight was being conducted under CFR 14 Part 91. The local area instructional flight was being operated by Maryland Air of Easton. In the NTSB form 6120.1/2, the flight instructor stated, ...On final approach to runway 22, the student pilot had established a stabilized approach with full flaps, correct approach speed and power setting, and a constant rate of descent. After clearing the 50' obstacle (simulated) and preparing to flare for landing, the student pilot retracted the flaps. He immediately realized his error and re-extended the flaps, his hand not having left the flap mechanism, while I, closely followed by Mr. Hafer [(the student pilot)], reached to the throttle to add power. However, the airplane had been too close to the ground to prevent its rapid sinking to the runway, and consequent hard landing during which the nose gear collapsed.... The airplane came to rest nose down on the runway. Postaccident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, revealed no discrepancies.
The flight instructor's inadequate supervision, resulting in a hard landing and a subsequent collapse of the nose gear. Also causal to the accident, was the student pilot's improper raising of the wing flaps during the landing flare.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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