Location: Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Accident Number: CEN21LA344
Date and Time: July 30, 2021, 10:00 Local
Registration: N725DW
Aircraft: WEISS DENIS SPARROW II
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Abnormal runway contact
Injuries: 2 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Analysis
The pilot reported that during landing on a grass runway, the airplane first bounced about 5 ft high, then bounced a few more times as it neared the end of the runway. The pilot added that he did not have enough remaining runway to complete a go-around, so he applied the brakes, but they did not work. The airplane continued off the end of the runway and impacted a small ditch and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and engine mount. A post-accident examination of the brake system revealed no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies 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 improper landing flare which resulted in a bounced landing, a loss of control, and runway excursion.
Findings
Aircraft Airspeed - Not attained/maintained
Aircraft Descent rate - Not attained/maintained
Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot
Factual Information
History of Flight
Landing-flare/touchdown Abnormal runway contact (Defining event)
Landing-landing roll Loss of control on ground
Pilot Information
Certificate: Sport Pilot
Age: 68, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification: Sport pilot Unknown Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: April 13, 2021
Flight Time: 3800 hours (Total, all aircraft), 250 hours (Total, this make and model), 14 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 4.5 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Passenger Information
Certificate: Age: Female
Airplane Rating(s): Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s):
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s):
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s):
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification:
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: WEISS DENIS
Registration: N725DW
Model/Series: SPARROW II
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2005
Amateur Built:
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental (Special)
Serial Number: CA3-323
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: July 31, 2020 Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1200 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 300 Hrs at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Rotax
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series:
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 81 Horsepower
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KOSH, 782 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 09:53 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 15°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 10 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: /
Wind Direction: 30°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 30.21 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 19°C / 11°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Oshkosh, WI
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Oshkosh, WI
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time:
Type of Airspace: Class D; Special
Airport Information
Airport: WITTMAN RGNL OSH
Runway Surface Type: Grass/turf
Airport Elevation: 808 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 05L/23R
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 1100 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full stop; Traffic pattern
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 43.969906,-88.562572
