Probable cause
The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing and collapse of the left main landing gear.
NTSB analysis
The pilot stated that while landing at night in visual meteorological conditions, the airplane landed hard and the left main landing gear collapsed, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. In an interview with the Federal Aviation Administration, the pilot stated he was accustomed to approaches with instrument and visual glidepath guidance. According to the airport/facilities directory entry for the accident airport, a note advised pilots that the size, spacing, and number of runway edge and end lights were not standard.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA15CA086 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Dec 28, 2014
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Liberty, North Carolina
- Nearest airport
- Causey (2A5)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Night
Cessna 310N
- N-number
- N177JD
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1968
- 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.