Loss of Control in Flight: General Atomics MQ-9B, CBP213: accident occurred May 15, 2020 at San Angelo Regional Airport (KSJT), Tom Green County, Texas

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

Additional Participating Entity:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Lubbock, Texas

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Location: San Angelo, Texas

Accident Number: CEN20CA178

Date & Time: May 15, 2020, 10:26 Local 

Registration: CBP213

Aircraft: GENERAL ATOMICS MQ-9B

Aircraft Damage: Destroyed

Defining Event: Loss of control in flight 

Injuries: N/A

Flight Conducted Under: Public aircraft

Analysis

The pilot of the unmanned aircraft system (UAS) attempted a touch-and-go landing but then performed a go-around due to an unstable approach. The pilot re-entered the UAS into the traffic pattern for a second touch-and-go landing attempt, during which it initially touched down nose first and induced a porpoise. During the third porpoise, the UAS contacted the runway in a nose-down attitude resulting in a hard landing and post-crash fire. The UAS was destroyed by the post-crash fire. There was no mechanical malfunction / failure of the UAS at the time of the accident.

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 an adequate landing flare that resulted in a porpoise and impact with terrain.

Findings

Aircraft Pitch control - Not attained/maintained

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing-flare/touchdown Loss of control in flight (Defining event)

Landing-flare/touchdown Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial; Flight instructor 

Age: 36, Male

Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Multi-engine land

Seat Occupied:

Other Aircraft Rating(s): None

Restraint Used:

Instrument Rating(s): Airplane 

Second Pilot Present:

Instructor Rating(s): Airplane single-engine 

Toxicology Performed: No

Medical Certification: Class 2 Without waivers/limitations

Last FAA Medical Exam: February 3, 2020

Occupational Pilot: Yes

Last Flight Review or Equivalent: January 16, 2020

Flight Time: 4629 hours (Total, all aircraft)

Other flight crew Information

Certificate: Age:

Airplane Rating(s): 

Seat Occupied: None

Other Aircraft Rating(s): 

Restraint Used:

Instrument Rating(s): 

Second Pilot Present:

Instructor Rating(s): 

Toxicology Performed: No

Medical Certification: 

Last FAA Medical Exam:

Occupational Pilot: 

Last Flight Review or Equivalent:

Flight Time:

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: GENERAL ATOMICS

Registration: CBP213

Model/Series: MQ-9B 

Aircraft Category: Airplane

Year of Manufacture: 2011 

Amateur Built: No

Airworthiness Certificate: Certificate of authorization or waiver (COA)

Serial Number: Unknown

Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle

Seats: 0

Date/Type of Last Inspection: February 24, 2020 Continuous airworthiness

Certified Max Gross Wt.: 10500 lbs

Time Since Last Inspection:

Engines: Turbo prop

Airframe Total Time:

Engine Manufacturer: Honeywell

ELT:

Engine Model/Series: TPE331-10YGD

Registered Owner:

Rated Power:

Operator: 

Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC) 

Condition of Light: Day

Observation Facility, Elevation: SJT,1919 ft msl 

Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles

Observation Time: 10:20 Local

Direction from Accident Site:

Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear

Visibility 9 miles

Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 2500 ft AGL 

Visibility (RVR):

Wind Speed/Gusts: 10 knots / 

Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:  /

Wind Direction: 190° 

Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /

Altimeter Setting: 29.87 inches Hg

Temperature/Dew Point: 27°C / 20°C

Precipitation and Obscuration:

Departure Point: San Angelo, TX (SJT)

Type of Flight Plan Filed: None

Destination: San Angelo, TX (SJT) 

Type of Clearance: VFR

Departure Time: 

Type of Airspace: Class D

Airport Information

Airport: San Angelo Regional/Mathis Field SJT

Runway Surface Type: Asphalt

Airport Elevation: 1919 ft msl

Runway Surface Condition: Dry

Runway Used: 18

IFR Approach: None

Runway Length/Width: 8049 ft / 150 ft

VFR Approach/Landing: Touch and go

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries:

Aircraft Damage: Destroyed

Passenger Injuries:

Aircraft Fire: On-ground

Ground Injuries: N/A 

Aircraft Explosion: None

Total Injuries: N/A 

Latitude, Longitude: 31.357778,-100.496391(est)