Primary finding
Probable cause
an improper flare by the pilot, which resulted in a hard landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that he was landing on runway 19 and flared the airplane prematurely. Subsequently, a hard landing occurred, and the right main landing gear broke off and impacted the aft fuselage.
Source record
Factual narrative
On June 11, 1996, at 1825 central daylight time, a Beech BE-23, N2398L, registered to and operated by a private owner sustained substantial damage during a hard landing near Weiner, Arkansas. The private pilot and his two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight. A flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight that originated near Jonesboro, Arkansas. The pilot told an FAA inspector that he was conducting a landing to runway 19 at the Sally Wofford Airport in Weiner, Arkansas, and flared the airplane prematurely resulting in a hard landing. As a result of the hard landing, the right main landing gear broke off and impacted the aft fuselage. -