Probable cause
The pilot’s improper flare and subsequent aerodynamic stall, which resulted in a hard landing.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that he lowered the landing gear and set the flaps to 30-degrees while on the downwind leg to the runway. He added that, as he lined up the airplane on final approach, the airplane drifted to the right. After the airplane crossed the beginning of the runway, the drift increased, and the pilot tried to correct back to the runway centerline. The pilot further stated that the airspeed decreased and the airplane “stalled between five and ten feet above the runway”. The airplane landed hard, slid off the runway onto a glass slope, and came to rest in an upright position. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the fuselage, including separation of the empennage section, forward of the vertical stabilizer.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN12CA263 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 1, 2012
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Durango, Colorado
- Nearest airport
- Animas Air Park (00C)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built LEGACY
- N-number
- N12KX
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.