LYONS ROBERT NAVAJO HKS near Arlington, WA — 2018-03-11

Probable cause

The pilot's loss of directional control during landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to attain a proper touchdown point, which required his use of heavy braking to stop on the remaining runway and exacerbated the uneven braking effectiveness of the main wheels.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was landing the weight-shift-control aircraft. Onboard video indicated that the aircraft was about 100 ft above ground level as it passed the runway midpoint and subsequently touched down with about 630 ft of runway remaining. The aircraft landed on the left side of the runway centerline then veered to the right and nosed over on the right side of the runway. The aircraft was equipped with two hydraulic disc brakes located on each of the main landing gear, which activated simultaneously by means of a foot pedal. The pilot performed an examination of the brakes after the accident and reported that the right wheel brake "had more stopping power" than the left wheel brake and attributed the loss of control to the braking power discrepancy between the two main wheels. He also stated that his long landing resulted in his application of heavier braking than usual. It is likely that the pilot's decision to continue the approach and landing despite the short runway distance remaining, and his subsequent use of heavy braking to stop on the available runway exacerbated the uneven braking effectiveness and contributed to the loss of control.

Analysis

Primary failure mode

Loss of control

First missed decision gate

Pilot could have adjusted braking technique to prevent skidding.

NTSB coding

• Loss of control on ground · Landing-landing roll
• Decision Making / Judgment

Evidence available

• Video
• Photos
• 7 docket documents

Docket documents7

• PILOT/OPERATOR AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT REPORT, NTSB FORM 6120.1form
• EMAIL COMMUNICATIONS 4-4-18interview
• PILOT STATEMENTinterview
• EMAIL COMMUNICATIONS 3-22-18other
• EMAIL COMMUNICATIONS 4-10-18photos
• FAA-PHOTO ARRAYphotos
• VIDEOvideo

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