SEA07CA146
2007-06-05 · Bakersfield, California, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed
Airport BFL
Aircraft involved
Probable cause & findings
The pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a loss of directional control. Factors included the crosswind and gusty wind condition.
Factual narrative
The pilot reported that as he was turning on to base leg for Runway 30R he noticed that the wind was stronger than anticipated, and when established on final the wind had caused the airplane to drift to the right of the runway's centerline. The pilot stated that as he was making adjustments to line up with the centerline the air traffic controller instructed him to go around. As he was pitching up and adding power the controller then told the pilot that he was cleared to land, prompting the pilot to reduce power, drop the nose, and continue to make adjustments for the crosswind. The pilot reported that when the airplane touched down it bounced two or three times, "...then a strong wind gust caused the plane to exit the runway to the right." The pilot revealed that after the airplane departed the runway the nose landing gear folded aft, which resulted in substantial damage to the firewall. The pilot estimated winds were from 270 degrees between 12 and 14 knots, with wind gusts to 18 knots. The pilot reported that as he was turning on to base leg for Runway 30R he noticed that the wind was stronger than anticipated, and when established on final the wind had caused the airplane to drift to the right of the runway's centerline. The pilot stated that as he was making adjustments to line up with the centerline the air traffic controller instructed him to go around. As he was pitching up and adding power the controller then told the pilot he was cleared to land, prompting the pilot to reduce power, drop the nose, and continue to make adjustments for the crosswind. The pilot reported that when the airplane touched down it bounced two or three times, "...then a strong wind gust caused the plane to exit the runway to the right." As a result of the nose wheel collapsing aft the firewall sustained substantial damage. The pilot estimated winds from 270 degrees between 12 and 14 knots, with wind gusts to 18 knots. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12
Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file
NTSB_2007_SEA07CA146.txt.
Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb.
Full investigation docket on
data.ntsb.gov ↗.
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