Bombardier CL-600-2B16 N190MP accident near Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts

Probable cause

The pilot's improper flare while landing in gusting wind, which resulted in a hard landing.

NTSB analysis

The pilot-in-command (PIC) was performing an instrument-landing-system approach and elected to use a flap setting of 30 degrees based on the landing conditions, with an approach speed of 135 knots. The flight crew reported that when the airplane was about 15 to 20 feet above the runway, it encountered windshear, which resulted in a loss of airspeed and a hard landing. The airplane departed the airport about 15 minutes later. After takeoff, when the landing gear was selected to the up position, the nose landing gear door open light remained illuminated and the PIC diverted to another airport, where the airplane landed without incident. Subsequent inspection revealed substantial damage to the nose section of the airplane, which included wrinkling at the forward pressure bulkhead. Data obtained from the airplane's enhanced ground proximity warning system revealed a sink rate warning when the airplane was about 50 feet above the ground. The airplane touched down at an airspeed of about 150 knots. The airplane was certified for normal landings with the flap system at 45 degrees only, and the manufacturer did not provide for a flap setting of 30 degrees except in the event of a flap system malfunction. A weather observation taken at the airport, about the time of the accident, included wind from 120 degrees at 16 knots, gusting to 23 knots, with a visibility of 1 1/4 statute miles in heavy rain and mist and a ceiling of 400 feet broken. The PIC reported that he did not experience any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane during the accident flight.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA09LA538 for the full record.