Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary CHI06CA226

Hillsdale, MI, USA

Aircraft #1

N109CT

Flight Design CTSW

Analysis

The light sport airplane was damaged during a hard landing. The pilot had just completed an hour of dual instruction in the accident airplane. He stated that during the accident he was sole occupant of the airplane. He stated that during the landing he touched down hard and bounced into the air. He stated that when the airplane touched down the second time the nose landing gear bent and the airplane went off the left side of the runway. He stated that the bent nose landing gear became stuck in the grass and the airplane nosed over. According to the pilot, the wind was from 40 degrees right of the runway heading at 4 to 6 knots.

Factual Information

The light sport airplane was damaged during a hard landing. The pilot had just completed an hour of dual instruction in the accident airplane. He stated that during the accident he was sole occupant of the airplane. He stated that during the landing he touched down hard and bounced into the air. He stated that when the airplane touched down the second time the nose landing gear bent and the airplane went off of the left side of the runway. He stated that the bent nose landing gear became stuck in the grass and the airplane nosed over on its back. According to the pilot, the wind was from 40 degrees right of the runway heading at 4 to 6 knots.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's misjudged flare which resulted in the hard landing and his improper recovery from the bounced landing which resulted in the overload failure of the nose landing gear and subsequent nose over. The overload failure of the nose landing gear was a factor.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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