NTSB Factual Report

On July 26, 2011, about 1736 mountain standard time, a Nicholson 2000, single-engine experimental amateur built airplane, sustained substantial damage following a landing gear collapse on rollout at the Sedona Airport (SEZ), Sedona, Arizona. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross-country flight, which was operated in accordance with 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight departed Falcon Field (FFZ), Mesa, Arizona, about 1700, with SEZ as its destination.

In a report submitted to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge (NTSB IIC), the pilot reported that prior to the accident flight the right main landing gear was serviced by maintenance. Maintenance personnel replaced the two pins that secure the right main landing gear in place, both of which had sheared off on a previous flight. The pilot stated that during the accident landing the airplane landed just past the numbers, bounced once, then landed on the right main gear, which collapsed; this was followed by the left main and nose landing gear, which then also collapsed. The pilot revealed that the airplane then slid [to the right] across the runway before coming to a stop off of the runway in the dirt. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the airplane prior to or during the accident flight.

In a written statement supplied to the NTSB IIC, a witness reported that he observed the airplane on short final at a high final approach speed and with very little flare. The witness stated that the airplane made contact with the right main [landing gear] first, which caused the landing gear to fold under into the wing. The witness reported that the airplane then yawed to the right, which placed a side load on the nose landing gear, causing it to collapse along with the left main landing gear. The witness added that the airplane then skidded before departing to the right side of the runway.

Two Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aviation safety inspectors examined the airplane at the accident site and reported that initial touchdown marks of all three landing gear were evident on the runway surface, with the first mark being that of the right main landing gear. The FAA inspector stated that a skid mark revealed an immediate diversion to the right, and that about 20 feet further skid marks from both the left main and nose wheels were evident. He added that about six feet from the initial skid mark made by the nose wheel, a fresh impression of about one-half inch deep was observed on the runway surface. Immediately in advance of this point was evidence that the nose, right and left main landing gears collapsed, followed by the airplane exiting the runway. The FAA inspector reported that upon further examination of the airplane, it was found that the left main landing gear inboard attach point was protruding through the lower wing skin. He also reported that damage to the outboard landing gear attach point was evident, as pieces of the attach brackets were visible. The FAA inspector added that an examination of the right main landing gear repaired areas did not reveal any indications of an inadequate repair. The FAA inspector concluded by reporting that in his opinion the accident was the result of a hard landing.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.