Probable cause
The pilots’ improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing and collapse of the nose landing gear.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that, after making a normal approach, the airplane touched down on the runway surface and bounced. The airplane touched down again, resulting in the nose gear collapsing. The propeller contacted the runway, and the airplane veered off the asphalt, coming to rest in the grass median.
A postaccident examination of the nose gear revealed that signatures were consistent with the nose strut failing as a result of a heavy aft force that would occur with an extreme nose-low impact or encounter with an obstacle. The damage incurred to the airplane supported the likelihood that the airplane touched down hard on the nose gear.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR19LA231 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 1, 2019
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Novato, California
- Nearest airport
- Gnoss Field (DVO)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna P210
- N-number
- N234SB
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1981
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Business
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.