Bombardier CL-600-2B16 accident near Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts, September 27, 2009
On September 27, 2009 at about 7:50 pm local time, a Bombardier CL-600-2B16, registered N190MP, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts (Martha'S Vineyard airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper flare while landing in gusting wind, which resulted in a hard landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 27, 2009 · about 7:50 pm local time
- Place
- Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts · Martha'S Vineyard · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Bombardier CL-600-2B16 · all CL-600-2B16s on the register
- Registration
- N190MP · no longer on the register · serial 5161
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot-in-command (PIC) was performing an instrument-landing-system approach and elected to use a flap setting of 30 degrees based on the landing conditions, with an approach speed of 135 knots. The flight crew reported that when the airplane was about 15 to 20 feet above the runway, it encountered windshear, which resulted in a loss of airspeed and a hard landing. The airplane departed the airport about 15 minutes later. After takeoff, when the landing gear was selected to the up position, the nose landing gear door open light remained illuminated and the PIC diverted to another airport, where the airplane landed without incident. Subsequent inspection revealed substantial damage to the nose section of the airplane, which included wrinkling at the forward pressure bulkhead. Data obtained from the airplane's enhanced ground proximity warning system revealed a sink rate warning when the airplane was about 50 feet above the ground. The airplane touched down at an airspeed of about 150 knots. The airplane was certified for normal landings with the flap system at 45 degrees only, and the manufacturer did not provide for a flap setting of 30 degrees except in the event of a flap system malfunction. A weather observation taken at the airport, about the time of the accident, included wind from 120 degrees at 16 knots, gusting to 23 knots, with a visibility of 1 1/4 statute miles in heavy rain and mist and a ceiling of 400 feet broken. The PIC reported that he did not experience any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane during the accident flight.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Hard landing during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Landing flare › Not attained/maintained
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Flight control system › TE flap control system › Incorrect use/operation
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 7,220 hours in all; 710 in this make and model; 11 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days; 4,632 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 7, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 8,934 hours in all; 475 in this make and model; 22 in the last 90 days; 20 in the last 30 days; 7,543 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 21, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,914 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 18, 2009; 11 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 45,250 lb
- Seats: 12
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Ge CF-34-3A1 (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Ge CF-34-3A1 (turbofan); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: APA Denver CO at 3:15 pm
- Destination: MVY Vineyard Haven MA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 24, 5,504 ft by 100 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 120° at 16 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 400 ft
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 29.61 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 pm from MVY
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.