Hard Landing: Flight Design GMBH CTLS, N21ZA; accident occurred November 04, 2018 at Lorain County Regional Airport (KLPR), Elyria, Ohio

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Cleveland, Ohio

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/N21ZA 

Location: ELYRIA, OH
Accident Number: GAA19CA049
Date & Time: 11/04/2018, 1330 EDT
Registration: N21ZA
Aircraft: Flight Design CTLS
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Hard landing
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 


Analysis 

The pilot reported that, during landing, the airplane encountered a gusting crosswind from the right. The airplane was configured with 0° flaps, and the airspeed was about 55 knots, and the airplane was about 5 ft above ground level. The airplane's airspeed was too slow for the gusting right crosswind conditions, and the airplane landed hard on the runway. The right main landing gear wheel separated from the airplane during the landing, and the airplane exited the runway to the right.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right main landing gear attachment points and the cabin's monocoque structure.

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

The METAR at the airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 140° at 11 knots, gusting to 19 knots.

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 adequate airspeed during landing in variable gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a hard landing and runway excursion.

Findings

Aircraft
Airspeed - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause)

Environmental issues
Variable wind - Effect on operation (Cause)
Gusts - Effect on operation (Cause)
Crosswind - Effect on operation (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing
Other weather encounter
Hard landing (Defining event)
Part(s) separation from AC
Runway excursion

Pilot Information

Certificate: Sport Pilot
Age: 60, Male
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: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Sport Pilot None
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 06/04/2018
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 145 hours (Total, all aircraft), 81 hours (Total, this make and model), 142 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 1.8 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Flight Design
Registration: N21ZA
Model/Series: CTLS Undesignated
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2011
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Special Light-Sport
Serial Number: F-10-09-04
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 07/05/2018, 100 Hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1320 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 2396.3 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Rotax
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: 912 ULS
Registered Owner: Ras Aviation Llc
Rated Power: 100 hp
Operator: Ras Aviation Llc
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Pilot School (141) 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KLPR, 794 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1832 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 333°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  2 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 11 knots / 19 knots
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: 140°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: 
Altimeter Setting: 30.23 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 13°C / 0°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: Moderate - Haze; No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: ELYRIA, OH (LPR)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: ELYRIA, OH (LPR)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1255 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: Lorain County Rgnl (LPR)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 793 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 07
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 5002 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop

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: 41.344167, -82.177778 (est)