Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
NTSB analysis
According to the pilot, during landing, the nose landing gear collapsed, separated, and the airplane skidded down the runway prior to coming to rest. The pilot further reported that the landing attitude was level and all three landing gear touched down about the same time. A postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed that the nose landing gear and the firewall sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA14CA353 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 23, 2014
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Lawrenceville, Georgia
- Nearest airport
- Gwinnett County Airport (LZU)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built ZODIAC 601 HDS
- N-number
- N4399
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2005
- 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.