St Clair David L TANGO 2 N55XT

Summary

On 9 October 2022 at about 21:55 local time, a St Clair David L TANGO 2 registered N55XT, operated by Utpal Dutta, was involved in an accident near Yulee, Florida, United States. 2 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

9 October 2022 at 21:55

Classification

Accident

Location

Yulee, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Nassau Airport (83FL)

Coordinates

30.6275, -81.5374

Aircraft

St Clair David L TANGO 2

Registration

N55XT

Category

Airplane

Year built

2006

Engines

1

Operator

Utpal Dutta

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Greencastle → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA23LA015

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot’s improper landing flare which resulted in a hard, bounced landing that damaged the nose landing gear, resulting in an inability to maintain directional control and subsequent runway excursion.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that during the approach to land the wind abruptly died down and the airplane began to sink as he passed over trees. He applied throttle to stop the airplane’s descent, but during the flare to land, the airplane was too fast and bounced on touchdown. The nose landing gear was damaged during the first bounce and the pilot was then unable to maintain directional control of the airplane. After departing the left side of the runway the airplane struck a fence and sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.