Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's misjudged landing flare. A factor associated with the accident is the pilot allowing the airplane to descend at an excessive rate.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported a normal approach to landing until he began to flare the airplane prior to touchdown. He said that the airplane continued to descend too rapidly and landed hard. The pilot and an FAA inspector who examined the airplane after the accident discovered no evidence of any preimpact mechanical anomaly or flight control malfunction.
Source record
Factual narrative
On June 9, 1994, at 1830 central daylight time, a Luscombe 8A airplane, N72009, sustained substantial damage during a hard landing at the Mt. Hawley Airport, Peoria, Illinois. The solo private pilot reported no injury. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight operated in visual meteorological conditions without flight plan. The pilot reported he was on final approach to landing on runway 35. He said the approach was normal until he began to flare the airplane for landing. He said the airplane began to sink, and although he applied full back (up) elevator control, he was unable to raise the airplane's nose. He said he looked at the airplane shortly after the accident and the elevator controls appeared to work correctly. An FAA Inspector examined the airplane at the accident site and discovered no mechanical problems with the flight control systems. -