Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary MIA02CA177

Cherry Point, NC, USA

Aircraft #1

N6QR

Aviat A-1

Analysis

After landing on runway 32L, a 9,000-foot runway, as the fourth airplane in a group of four other airplanes to land, the pilot flared slightly high resulting in a bounce. The airplane ground looped, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing contacted the runway.

Factual Information

On September 21, 2002, about 1100 eastern daylight time, an Aviat A-1, N1928J, operated by an individual and registered to TTT Ranch, ground looped and impacted with the runway after landing at Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station/Cunningham Field, Cherry Point, North Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane was substantially damaged. The private-rated pilot and one passenger reported no injuries. The flight had originated from Manteo, North Carolina, about 1000. The pilot stated that he was landing on runway 32L, a 9,000-foot runway, and was the fourth airplane in a group of four other airplanes to land. He said he flared "slightly high" resulting in a "minor" bounce, the airplane ground looped, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing contacted the runway. The tower controller asked the pilot of N6QR if he needed assistances, and the pilot answered, "Yes we'll need assistance," to move the airplane.

Probable Cause and Findings

the pilot misjudged the landing flare, resulting in a hard landing, an inadvertent ground loop, and the subsequent impact with the runway.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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