NTSB Factual Report

On October 16, 2003, at 1145 eastern daylight time, a Spegele, Mustang II experimental airplane, N262CS, registered to and operated by the private pilot, landing gear collapsed during an attempted landing on runway 17 at the Tom B. David Airport in Calhoun, Georgia. The personal flight operated under the provisions of title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the pilot was not injured. The flight departed Calhoun, Georgia, at 1125, on October 16, 2003.

According to the pilot, after takeoff he remained in the traffic pattern for runway 17. The pilot reported that the airplane was established on final approach at a speed of 80 knots. According to witnesses, the airplane appeared to have developed a high sink rate as it approached touchdown. The pilot stated the airplane touched down at 70 knots. The landing gear collapsed and the airplane skidded on the fuselage. The airplane came to rest in the grass 50 feet off the left side of the runway.

Examination of the airplane revealed the right wheel and axle broken off the gear leg, both main gears collapsed, dents on the bottom of the fuselage and bottom of the wings, the radiator below the cowl destroyed, the composite propeller blades broken, damage to the nose cone and sheet metal damaged to the tail end of fuselage. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane prior to the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper flare which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent landing gear collapse.