N56HCessna 414 · 1977

On April 7, 2017, at 1250 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 414, N56H, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Atlanta, Georgia. The airline transport pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot stated that, while approaching for landing in gusting wind conditions, the landing runway was changed from runway 26 to runway 32, and the pilot reconfigured the airplane for the new approach. While established on a 1-mile final at about 400 ft above field elevation, the controller cleared another airplane for takeoff. The pilot stated that he was preparing to conduct his before landing checks, and the other airplane on the runway presented a “big distraction.” He considered conducting a go-around, but concerned about obstacle avoidance during the go-around, he chose to continue the approach.

The pilot stated that he thought he put the gear down, but could not recall performing his normal call-outs or confirming the before-landing checklist items, including the fuel selector, landing gear, and flaps. During the flare, he felt the airplane settle more than normal and he attempted to pull up, but the airplane settled firmly onto the runway and skidded to a stop.

A witness reported that the airplane's landing gear was retracted as it approached the runway. The airplane landed, the propellers impacted the runway, and the airplane skidded to a stop.

A post-accident examination conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed structural damage to the fuselage and damage to both engines and propellers. There were two sets of propeller slash marks in the runway from the initial impact point to where the airplane came to rest, a distance of about 650 ft.