Primary finding
Probable cause
The failure of the pilot-in-commmand to properly flare before touchdown and the pilot's decision to land with excessive airspeed. A contributing factor was the aprehension/anxiety of the pilot during the precautionary landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot of the twin engine airplane elected to execute a precautionary landing short of his destination due to an engine surge. He landed fast, long, and hard. The tires blew on landing and the airplane swerved off the runway and struck a ditch.
Source record
Factual narrative
On July 29, 1994, about 2202 eastern daylight time, N4232C, a Cessna 414, registered to the pilot, Rocco Amuso, landed hard and collided with terrain, at Lake City, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and an IFR flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot and two passengers were not injured. The flight originated from Jacksonville, Florida, about 45 minutes earlier. The pilot stated he was deviating around weather at 10,000 feet when he noticed his right engine surging. He elected to execute a precautionary landing at Lake City, Florida. He landed fast, long and hard. The tires blew on impact and the airplane swerved off the runway striking a runway light, and collided with a ditch. Both wing spars, skin and main landing gears were damaged. Examination of the engines was conducted by a mechanic who stated that he could not locate any condition that would have caused the right engine to surge. -