Probable cause
The pilot’s inadequate landing flare, which resulted in a nose landing gear collapse.
NTSB analysis
The pilot was returning from her fifth skydive run of the day. During the landing, “the flare seemed insufficient” and the nose landing gear collapsed during touchdown. The airplane continued off the side of the runway and came to rest in the grass. During the accident sequence, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mounts. The operator reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA23LA292 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 3, 2023
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Suffolk, Virginia
- Nearest airport
- Suffolk Exec (SFQ)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 208B
- N-number
- N716MM
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1999
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Skydiving
Other records under this N-number
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.