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Atlas / NTSB / CHI07CA285

NTSB CAROL · Event

Event CHI07CA285

2007-08-30 Atlantic, Iowa, United States Airport · KAIO None 1 aircraft Status: Completed

Registry · N2540T

FAA Aircraft Registry record.

Make / Model

NAVION NAVION H

Year of manufacture

1970 · 37 years old at event

Engine

CONT MOTOR IO 520 SERIES (285 hp)

Seats / Engines

5 seats · 1 engine

Last airworthiness date

19700326

ADS-B equipped

Yes — Mode-S A268C4

Registrant of record

HENNINGSEN AIR LLC

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's improper flare and touchdown during landing resulting in overload failure of the left main landing gear. A contributing factor was the pilot's distraction due to the unlatched cabin door.

Factual narrative

The airplane was substantially damaged when the left main landing gear collapsed during landing. The pilot stated the aircraft cabin door came unlatched shortly after takeoff. The pilot chose to return to the departure airport for landing on Runway 12 (3,133 feet by 75 feet, asphalt). He reported that the aircraft touched down on the left main gear, with a "slight drift." The left main gear subsequently collapsed. The aircraft came to rest approximately 1,000 feet down the runway and about 30 feet off the left side of the pavement. The pilot noted a "series of distractions" prevented him from concentrating on a safe landing. The pilot stated the aircraft cabin door came unlatched shortly after takeoff. The pilot chose to return to the departure airport for landing on Runway 12 (3,133 feet by 75 feet, asphalt). He reported that the aircraft touched down on the left main gear, with a "slight drift." The left main gear subsequently collapsed. The aircraft came to rest approximately 1,000 feet down the runway and about 30 feet off the left side of the pavement. The pilot noted a "series of distractions" prevented him from concentrating on a safe landing. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2007_CHI07CA285.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.