Tuesday, March 24, 2020

Hard Landing: Czech Sport Aircraft SportCruiser, N117BF; accident occurred August 30, 2019 at French Valley Airport (F70), Murrieta, Riverside County, California

View of damaged engine mount. 

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Riverside, California 

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/N117BF


Location: Murrieta, CA
Accident Number: GAA19CA537
Date & Time: 08/30/2019, 0730 PDT
Registration: N117BF
Aircraft: Czech Sport SPORTCRUISER
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Hard Landing
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional

Analysis

The solo student pilot reported that his second approach for landing was low and that, when he flared, the wheels contacted the runway, and the airplane bounced. The student did not want to stall the airplane, so he pitched the nose down to level it, but it bounced again, drifted left, exited the runway, landed hard, and the nose landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mount. The operator 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 student pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing, and his subsequent loss of directional control and a hard landing.

Findings

Aircraft
Landing flare - Not attained/maintained (Cause)
Directional control - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Student pilot (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing-flare/touchdown
Abnormal runway contact

Landing
Loss of control on ground
Runway excursion
Hard landing (Defining event)

Student Pilot Information

Certificate: Student
Age: 27, Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 05/29/2019
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 21 hours (Total, all aircraft), 21 hours (Total, this make and model) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Czech Sport
Registration: N117BF
Model/Series: SPORTCRUISER No Series
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2017
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Special Light-Sport
Serial Number: C0614
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 08/14/2019, 100 Hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1320 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 1053.3 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Rotax
ELT: C126 installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: 912 ULS
Registered Owner: Skywest Leasing Inc
Rated Power:
Operator: Bountiful Flight LLC
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Does Business As: FLT Academy
Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KRIV, 1536 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 20 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1358 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 343°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: Calm /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction:
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.99 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 20°C / 16°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Murrieta/Temecula, CA (F70)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Murrieta/Temecula, CA (F70)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 0630 PDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: French Valley (F70)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 1349 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 18
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 6000 ft / 75 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: 33.574167, -117.128611 (est)

1 comment:

  1. I've had a few landing attempts over time where I porpoised on landing. Immediate go around, and try again with a stabilized (and properly flared) approach.

    ReplyDelete