Thursday, February 22, 2018

Flight Design CTLS, N547CT, registered to E&H Transportation LLC: Accident occurred September 02, 2017 at Newport State Airport (KUUU), Middletown, Newport County, Rhode Island

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Burlington, Massachusetts

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/N547CT 

Location: Newport, RI
Accident Number: GAA17CA577
Date & Time: 09/02/2017, 1730 EDT
Registration: N547CT
Aircraft: FLIGHT DESIGN GMBH CTLS
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Abnormal runway contact
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional 

Analysis


The solo student pilot reported that, during the landing flare, he "felt an updraft" and the airplane landed hard. The airplane bounced, the nose landing gear struck the ground, bounced again, and the he performed a go-around. The student entered the traffic pattern and landed without further incident.

The student reported that, during the taxi to the ramp, the rudder pedals "felt funny". He added that, as he and the flight instructor put a cover over the airplane, he noticed the nose landing gear "looked funny".  He requested a local mechanic examine the airplane, and then decided to send the airplane to a repair station to be repaired.

During the airplane repair, it was revealed that the airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mounts.

The student reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 30 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 180° at 8 knots. The same weather observation station reported that, about 23 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 190° at 5 knots. The airplane landed on runway 22. 

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The student pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing. 

Findings

Aircraft
Landing flare - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Student pilot (Cause)

Environmental issues
Updraft - Effect on operation

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing-flare/touchdown
Other weather encounter

Landing
Hard landing
Abnormal runway contact (Defining event)
Attempted remediation/recovery

Student Pilot Information

Certificate: Student
Age: 68, Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: None None
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: (Estimated) 140 hours (Total, all aircraft), 130 hours (Total, this make and model)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: FLIGHT DESIGN GMBH
Registration: N547CT
Model/Series: CTLS NO SERIES
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2008
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Special Light-Sport
Serial Number: 08-01-18
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 09/14/2017, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1320 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 456 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: ROTAX
ELT: Installed, activated, aided in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: 912ULS
Registered Owner: E&H TRANSPORTATION LLC
Rated Power: 100 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KUUU, 172 ft msl
Observation Time: 2100 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 269°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 200 ft agl
Temperature/Dew Point: 17°C / 9°C
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility:  10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 8 knots, 180°
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 30.2 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Newport, RI (UUU)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Newport, RI (UUU)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 1700 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: NEWPORT STATE (UUU)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 171 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 22
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 2999 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Touch and Go 

Wreckage and Impact Information


Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries:1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 41.533056, -71.279722 (est)

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