NTSB Factual Report

On April 12, 2008, at 0930 eastern daylight time, an Embraer EMB-110, N62CZ, was substantially damaged during landing at Potsdam Municipal Airport (PTD), Potsdam, Pennsylvania. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the flight. The flight originated at Syracuse International Airport, Syracuse, New York, and was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135.

According to the pilot, he performed the GPS Runway 24 approach at PTD, and as he broke out of the clouds, he configured the airplane for landing, by reducing the airspeed to 100 knots and extending full flaps. As the airplane crossed the runway threshold, the pilot initiated the landing flare and the plane veered to the left. The pilot then "over corrected" to the right, resulting in the right wingtip contacting the runway. Shortly after, the left main landing gear contacted the turf off the left side of the runway, and collapsed as the airplane impacted the mud.

The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

Examination of the airplane and accident site by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed four white scratch marks approximately 20 feet in length, observed on the first 1,000 feet of runway 24, left of the centerline. Approximately 15 feet forward of the point where the scratch marks ended, off the left side of the runway in the mud, was a trench the width of the main landing gear. Substantial damage was noted to the left wing spar.

The engine was further examined under the supervision of a FAA inspector. No pre-impact mechanical anomalies were identified during the examination.

Weather reported at an airport 16 miles north of PTD, at 0936, included calm winds, 1 and 1/2 miles visibility with mist, overcast clouds at 300 feet, temperature 2 degrees Celsius (C), and dew point 1 degree C.

The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single and multiengine land, and instrument airplane. He also held a flight instructor certificate. The pilot's most recent FAA second-class medical was issued on April 2, 2008. At the time of the accident, the pilot reported 3,530 hours of total flight experience, 821 of which were in the make and model of the accident airplane. The pilot additionally reported 102 hours of flight experience in the previous 90 days, and 41 hours in the previous 30 days, all of which were in the accident airplane make and model.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.