Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Lubbock, Texas
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
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)
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