Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed. The pilot's failure to maintain directional control was a factor.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that final approach to the private airstrip was performed under normal operating procedures. The pilot started to flare the airplane when it suddenly dropped and landed hard. The airplane travelled approximately 50 feet and veered to the left side of the airstrip and collided with a dirt bank. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane at the time of the accident.
Source record
Factual narrative
On October 30, 1993, at 1010 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 320C, N3057T, landed hard at a private dirt strip near Spirit Lake, Idaho, and collided with a dirt bank. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the certificated commercial pilot and his passenger were not injured. The flight had departed from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, on October 30, 1993, at 0900 hours. During a telephone interview, the pilot reported that final approach to the airstrip was performed under normal operating procedures. The pilot stated that he had just started to flare the airplane when it suddenly dropped and landed hard on the dirt strip. The airplane travelled approximately 50 feet and veered to the left side of the airstrip, where it collided with a dirt bank. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane at the time of the accident. The accident was not reported until November 8, 1993. -