The pilot of an experimental amateur-built airplane reported that he felt pressured by a trailing airplane while in the traffic pattern at the airport in Grass Valley, California.
He further reported that this pressure caused him to turn base and then final sooner than expected, which resulted in an increased airspeed and higher than expected altitude on final approach.
He decided to proceed with the landing with the intent of using the length of the runway to reduce the airspeed.
The landing flare was affected by the higher than normal airspeed, and resulted in a hard landing.
During the landing roll, the Zodiac began to veer to the left and right, which progressively increased, resulting in a runway excursion to the left.
During the runway excursion, the plane hit a taxiway sign, which disabled the brakes.
The airplane continued across the airport until it hit a parked airplane on the ramp. As a result of the impact, a post-impact fire ensued and the airplane was destroyed.
Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain a stabilized approach and landing, which resulted in a hard landing, loss of directional control, runway excursion, and collision with a parked airplane.
NTSB Identification: GAA16CA242
This May 2016 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
A friend and I flew a C172 into a short dirt field near our KS home. I asked if he would like to land the aircraft from the right seat. With trees along the right and end of the field the landing required a more precise approach angle and speed control. With power off, full flaps on final we were clearly going to pass the mid point of the 1800ft field before touch down. At 400 feet, I asked if we should go around? … No! Crossing the Threshold at 200 feet, I asked if we should go around? … No! I was surprise at how intent my friend was to land the airplane. … We went around. Moral: Consider all your options equally when landing. Don’t over focus on a single outcome.
I don’t like to ride my bike in the rain, just not comfortable , and I don’t like to take off or land unless I’m comfortable, I make the decision.
As everyone else is saying……Simple “didn’t feel comfortable and should have gone around” landing says all that’s relevant….plenty of reasons to get you into that position, only one that is a sure fire way to fix it!
BTW I probably should have added it’s easy to point fingers and all, but the go around vs I can make it line is a grey one. You are dealing with subconsciously thinking you can and will make it along with not wanting to go around. So it is really easy to make judgements in hind sight. A little humility is required both by the pilot and the people pointing fingers…..
and one more reason why hand flying skills are so important as aviation becomes more and more automated. Along with the need that pilots should practice go arounds till they become a non event.
The entire premise of ‘go around’ is to be PREPARED not PRESSURED to go around. The pilot knew he was high and fast and shot the landing anyway (unstable).
Attempting to ‘save’ a poor landing is how accidents happen. If you are disciplined and trained you will NOT test the basic premise of a landing….stabilized approach ONLY….no exceptions.
Well stated, plain and simple.
If you aren’t certain, your decision should have made by default already, weeks, months, even years before during training. This is precisely why you make these decisions ahead of time with a clear head in a stress free environment, so that you can respond to a heat of the moment situation promptly and correctly. The bar or threshold that triggers the decision is simply doubt or uncertainty about your approach and landing.
No such thing as pressured. If you fly that way get out of the sky.
You’ve got to be kidding me! “PRESSURED” The boys I raised learned very early in life they would be held responsible for the decisions they made. If memory serves me correct it happened somewhere around the time they learned to walk. ? Make bad decisions, bad stuff happens. Make good decisions, and good stuff is going to happen most of the time. Feeling “pressured” is an excuse, not a reason. This is almost like saying I screwed up the landing and wrecked my plane because I got distracted by a pretty cloud in the sky. You can’t control other people’s decisions and actions, only your own. MAKE GOOD DECISIONS . . . just my two cents
Could not agree with you more.
You can always go around!