SEA99LA140

Factual narrative

On July 31, 1999, approximately 1600 Pacific daylight time, the nose gear of a Cessna T210J, N821SB, collapsed during the landing roll at Rake's Glen Airpark, Sequim, Washington. The aircraft, which was registered to a private individual and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal/pleasure flight, sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The commercial pilot, and her two passengers were not injured. The flight originated from William R. Fairchild International Airport, Port Townsend, Washington, about 20 minutes before the accident. There was no report of an ELT activation. The pilot stated that she overflew the 1,600 foot asphalt runway to determine the wind direction before landing. After determining a crosswind would be present for either runway, she chose to land to the east. As the aircraft touched down, the pilot realized "...that the wind had changed directions and was now from the west." With the westerly wind, the pilot was landing with a tailwind that she estimated at 10 knots gusting to 20 knots. Although she was aware that she may not get the aircraft stopped prior to reaching the end of the runway, she elected not to attempt a go-around because of the possibility of impacting obstructions just off the departure end. The pilot was unable to stop the aircraft before it departed the end of the runway and collided with a berm, resulting in the collapse of the nose gear and substantial damage to the airframe. The pilot overflew the 1,600 foot asphalt runway to determine the wind direction before landing. After determining a crosswind would be present for either runway, the pilot chose to land to the east. As the aircraft touched down, the pilot realized '...that the wind had changed directions and was now from the west.' With the westerly wind, the pilot was landing with a tailwind that she estimated at 10 knots gusting to 20 knots. Although she was aware that she may not get the aircraft stopped prior to reaching the end of the runway, she elected not to attempt a go-around because of the possibility of impacting obstructions just off the departure end. The pilot was unable to stop the aircraft before it departed the end of the runway and collided with a berm. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12