Aerostar SA Festival R40S, N291AF: Accident occurred July 30, 2016 in Frankfort, Benzie County, Michigan

AIRCRAFT: 2005 S C Aerostar S.A. Festival R40S Serial# 050305 N291AF

ENGINE - M&M, S/N:  Rotax GMBH Model 912 52 Serial # 4.923.154

PROPELLER – M&M, S/N: Damaged.

APPROXIMATE TOTAL HOURS (estimated TT & TSMO from logbooks or other information):

ENGINE:   460.38
  
AIRFRAME: 460.38                      

 OTHER EQUIPMENT: Icom A200 and GTX 320A         

DESCRIPTION OF ACCIDENT: Pilot lost control of aircraft during landing. Aircraft departed the runway into the grass and ended up on its nose.

DESCRIPTION OF DAMAGES: See photos. Prop, Nose gear, firewall, cowling, RH wing Leading edge, Top of Rudder cap, Spinner-Exhaust pipe-More pictures available upon request.                    

LOCATION OF AIRCRAFT:   KCAD-Cadillac Aircraft Services Cadillac, MI                   

REMARKS: Aircraft is disassembled and on a trailer stored outside in Northern Michigan and is not covered. Logbooks are with field adjuster.

Source:    http://www.avclaims.com/N291AF.htm

http://registry.faa.gov/N291AF

FAA Flight Standards District Office: FAA Grand Rapids FSDO-09

NTSB Identification: GAA16CA401
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, July 30, 2016 in Frankfort, MI
Probable Cause Approval Date: 09/12/2016
Aircraft: S C AEROSTAR S .A. FESTIVAL R40S, registration: N291AF
Injuries: 2 Minor.

NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.

The student pilot reported that during the landing roll in gusty right crosswind conditions the right wing lifted and the airplane drifted off the runway to the left. The airplane impacted terrain, which resulted in a collapsed nose gear and substantial damage to the right wing.

The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport, revealed that, about 7 minutes before the accident the wind was 050 degrees true at 5 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, and sky clear. The airplane landed on runway 15.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in gusty crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion, a nose gear collapse, and impact with terrain.