Loss of Control on Ground: Aeropro CZ A220, N441B; accident occurred October 14, 2019 at Buckeye Municipal Airport (KBXK), Maricopa County, Arizona

View of damage to the left wing of the airplane.

Federal Aviation Administration

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

https://registry.faa.gov/N441B

Location: Buckeye, AZ
Accident Number: GAA20CA045
Date & Time: 10/14/2019, 0930 MST
Registration: N441B
Aircraft: AEROPRO CZ A220
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

Analysis 

The pilot reported that, during landing, the airplane encountered crosswind gusts from the left, and he aborted the landing. The airplane drifted right over the runway edge, and the tailwheel struck brush. The airplane's airspeed decreased, and the left wing "dipped into the wind." The airplane touched down on the left main landing gear, and it collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. 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 failure to maintain directional control during an aborted landing with a crosswind, which resulted in tailwheel impacting vegetation and the left main landing gear collapsing.

Findings

Aircraft

Directional control - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues

Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause)

Environmental issues

Object/animal/substance - Effect on operation (Cause)

Crosswind - Effect on operation (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing

Other weather encounter

Loss of control on ground (Defining event)

Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 45, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 None
Last FAA Medical Exam: 10/31/2018
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 04/27/2018
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 751.7 hours (Total, all aircraft), 28.2 hours (Total, this make and model), 607 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 46.9 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 8.8 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: AEROPRO CZ
Registration: N441B
Model/Series: A220
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2018
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Special Light-Sport
Serial Number: 55118
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 09/27/2019, 100 Hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.:
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 45 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Rotax
ELT: Installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: 914UL2
Registered Owner: Redpole LLC
Rated Power: 115 hp
Operator: Redpole LLC
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KBXK, 1021 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1635 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 144°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 10 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: 110°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 29.93 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 26°C / 7°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Marana, AZ (AVQ)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Marana, AZ (AVQ)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 0830 MST
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: Buckeye Muni (BXK)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 1032 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry; Soft; Vegetation
Runway Used: 17
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 5500 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Traffic Pattern

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 33.420556, -112.686111