Aero Sky Ranger II, N132ES: Accident occurred March 07, 2015 at San Manuel Airport (E77), Pinal County, Arizona

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Scottsdale, Arizona 

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board:  https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:  https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

Aviation Accident Data Summary - National Transportation Safety Board:  https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

http://registry.faa.gov/N132ES

Location: San Manuel, AZ
Accident Number: GAA15CA003
Date & Time: 03/07/2015, 0845 MST
Registration: N132ES
Aircraft: SCHUPP EDWARD W SKY RANGER II
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Hard landing
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional

Analysis

The pilot was performing a no flap landing. About 5 feet over the runway, the pilot attempted to center the airplane over the center line but input too much rudder, the airplane landed hard, bounced, and then departed the runway to the left. The nose gear and left main landing gear separated from the fuselage; subsequently the left and right fuselage stringers sustained substantial damage.

The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.

Findings

Aircraft
Directional control - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Approach-VFR pattern final
Loss of control in flight

Landing-flare/touchdown
Hard landing (Defining event)

Landing-landing roll
Runway excursion
  
Pilot Information

Certificate: Sport Pilot
Age: 65
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Sport Pilot
Last FAA Medical Exam: 
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 05/08/2013
Flight Time: (Estimated) 110 hours (Total, all aircraft), 7 hours (Total, this make and model), 7 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft)
  
Flight Instructor Information

Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial
Age: 75
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Multi-engine; Airplane Single-engine
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 11/05/2014
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 
Flight Time: (Estimated) 2450 hours (Total, all aircraft), 1 hours (Total, this make and model)
  
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: SCHUPP EDWARD W
Registration: N132ES
Model/Series: SKY RANGER II NO SERIES
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2004
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental
Serial Number: 0207206
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 04/15/2014, Conditional
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1212 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 469 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Rotax
ELT: C91A installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: 912
Registered Owner: Stephen L LeGrand
Rated Power: 80 hp
Operator: Stephen L LeGrand
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KDMA, 2704 ft msl
Observation Time: 1358 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 31 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 202°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Temperature/Dew Point: 12°C / -1°C
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: Calm
Visibility (RVR): 
Altimeter Setting: 30.05 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV): 
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: SAN MANUEL, AZ (E77)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: SAN MANUEL, AZ (E77)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 0800 MST
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: SAN MANUEL (E77)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 3271 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 11
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 4207 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Straight-in

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 32.639722, -110.652778