Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during approach to landing, which resulted in a hard landing.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that while on short final approach to the runway, the airplane encountered a downdraft "that dropped the [air]plane below the glide slope." He immediately noticed a reduction in airspeed. The pilot stated that he applied power and "pulled the nose up in an effort to regain proper altitude." Subsequently, the airplane landed "very hard" and collapsed the nosewheel landing gear. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the firewall was bent and the fuselage behind the aft seating area was buckled. The pilot reported no anomalies with the airplane's systems prior to the accident.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR09CA441 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 5, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Avalon, California
- Nearest airport
- Catalina Airport (AVX)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna T210H
- N-number
- N2242R
- Category
- Airplane
- 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.