Cessna 421 N421WL accident near Moriarty, New Mexico

Probable cause

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

NTSB analysis

The pilot in the multiengine airplane reported that, during approach, he was too high and too fast. He pulled both throttles to idle, and the airplane "got too slow." About 1/4 mile from the runway, he reduced the flaps from full (third notch) to the second notch. He added that, above the runway, he heard the stall warning horn sound and that he then flared the airplane, which landed hard. The left main landing gear and nosewheel tires popped. He was able to taxi back to the hangar without further incident.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wing spars.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The pilot reported that the wind was from 108° at 4 knots, gusting to 19 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 08.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA19CA335 for the full record.