Pilot’s Failure To Maintain Airplane Control During Final Approach After Encountering An Unexpected Windshear

Analysis: According to the pilot, about 150 ft above ground level, the airplane encountered an unexpected windshear which resulted in a “significant sink rate” and loss of about 10 knots of airspeed. The pilot attempted to arrest the descent by adding engine power but was unsuccessful. The airplane landed hard, bounced, and then settled on the runway. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the firewall. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Program Of Record Milestone Feted In Ceremony At Assembly Plant

Bell Textron and Boeing Company commemorated the impending completion of the CV-22 Program of Record (POR) for the U.S. Air Force. The companies celebrated the V-22 Osprey production milestone during a ceremony at the Bell Amarillo Assembly Center in Texas on April 18.