Hard Landing: DRB Raider, N703DB; accident occurred July 18, 2019 at Laramie Regional Airport (KLAR), Albany County, Wyoming

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Denver, Colorado

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

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

https://registry.faa.gov/N703DB

Location: Laramie, WY
Accident Number: GAA19CA433
Date & Time: 07/18/2019, 0800 MDT
Registration: N703DB
Aircraft: BRUMBAUGH DAVID R DRB RAIDER
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Abnormal runway contact
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Flight Test 

Analysis 

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while landing on a grass runway and about 10 ft above ground level, the airplane "dropped" quickly. The airplane touched down hard on the runway and then skidded to a stop.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and rudder.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane 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 improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.

Findings

Aircraft
Landing flare - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing
Miscellaneous/other
Hard landing (Defining event)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 55, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Front
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: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 08/04/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 01/05/2019
Flight Time: (Estimated) 134 hours (Total, all aircraft), 30 hours (Total, this make and model), 53 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 31 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 22 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: BRUMBAUGH DAVID R
Registration: N703DB
Model/Series: DRB RAIDER
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture:
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental
Serial Number: 001DB
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 02/10/2019, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 950 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 30 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Hirth
ELT: C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: F 30
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 80 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: KLAR, 7272 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1353 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 310°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 5 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 140°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.15 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 18°C / 2°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Laramie, WY (LAR)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Laramie, WY (LAR)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 0800 MDT
Type of Airspace: Class E

Airport Information

Airport: Laramie Rgnl (LAR)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt; Concrete; Grass/turf
Airport Elevation: 7283 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Rough; Vegetation
Runway Used: 21
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 8502 ft / 150 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Traffic Pattern

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: 41.311944, -105.675000 (est)