Probable cause
The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing and subsequent nose gear separation.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that, during the landing, the airplane bounced and soon after he felt a "jerk and thump," and the propeller contacted the runway as the airplane slid across the runway with the nose down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the leading edge of the right horizontal stabilizer. Examination of the runway surface revealed markings consistent with a hard landing on the nose landing gear.
The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. It is likely that the pilot failed to maintain a proper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing on the nose gear and its subsequent separation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR17LA204 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 15, 2017
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Watsonville, California
- Nearest airport
- Watsonville Muni (WVI)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna T210N
- N-number
- N5391A
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1979
- 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.