Sunday, February 14, 2021

Abnormal Runway Contact: AMD CH-2000 Alarus, N677NA; accident occurred February 28, 2020 at Ocala International Airport (KOCF), Marion County, Florida





Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board 

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Orlando, Florida

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


Location: Ocala, FL
Accident Number: ERA20CA147
Date & Time: 02/28/2020, 1050 EST
Registration: N677NA
Aircraft: Zenair CH 2000
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Abnormal runway contact
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional 

Analysis

The solo student pilot reported that, during landing, the airplane "bounced" and that "out of instinct," he pushed the yoke down to try and "get the plane down," which resulted in the nosewheel collapsing and the propeller striking the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the forward fuselage. 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 and subsequent improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in the nosewheel collapsing.

Findings

Personnel issues Aircraft control - Student/instructed pilot
Personnel issues Incorrect action performance - Student/instructed pilot
Aircraft Landing flare - Not attained/maintained

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing-flare/touchdown Abnormal runway contact (Defining event)
Landing-flare/touchdown Landing gear collapse
Landing-flare/touchdown Dragged wing/rotor/float/other

Pilot Information

Certificate:Student 
Age: 23, 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:08/09/2019 
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:  84 hours (Total, all aircraft), 84 hours (Total, this make and model), 9 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 17 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Zenair
Registration: N677NA
Model/Series: CH 2000
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2004
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 20-1029
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 02/23/2020, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1692 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 3347 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C91A installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident
Engine Model/Series:O235-N2C 
Registered Owner: Midwest Airsales Inc
Rated Power: 116 hp
Operator: Orlando Aviators Flying Club Inc
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: OCF, 87 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1051 EST
Direction from Accident Site: 237°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling:None 
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 9 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: 310°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 30.3 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 12°C / -2°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Orlando, FL (ORL)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Ocala, FL (OCF)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 0959 EST
Type of Airspace: Class D

Airport Information

Airport: Ocala Intl-Jim Taylor Field (OCF)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 89 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 36
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 7467 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: 29.171944, -82.224167 (est)

4 comments:

  1. Time to stop taking this man's $$, and repmove from the program this student age 23, with total Flight Time of 84 hours, 84 hours (Total, this make and model)with just 9 solo hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 17 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft)...

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  2. This! Give him — and whomever would've had the misfortune of flying with him in the future — the gift of life.
    The words: "He just needs more training," have killed far too many people already.

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  3. Flying is pretty easy, but not everyone can or should do it...

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  4. And another high time student solo report! So long as flight schools are allowed to continue having career student customers and flight instructors getting paid to fly with them, these events will continue. You either "get" flying by the latest at say 30 hours dual or you will never get it. Competent student pilots solo before 20 hours (I soloed at 13 hours) with the slower learners finally getting it by 30 hours or so. Are these people just growing up on PC flight simulators thinking it will be just as easy in the real world? I really have to wonder.

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