The pilot reported that, while on short final for a precautionary landing to an airport in Edgewood, N.M., that was covered with snow, with “extra speed” and about 10 feet above the ground, the Beech 24 suddenly descended, landed hard, and bounced.
The right main landing gear tire touched down again, caught the snow, and the airplane veered left. He then initiated a go-around, but the plane hit a fence, then terrain.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The automated weather observation station located on an airport about 22 nm away, reported that, about 20 minutes before the accident, the wind was 300° at 6 knots. The pilot reported the wind was blowing hard from 270°. The airplane landed on Runway 27.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in hard, bounced landing, loss of directional control, runway excursion, and hitting a fence and terrain during an attempted go-around.
This January 2019 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.
