Pilot Debrief

OSTERTAG WALTER G Velocity RG near Stateboro, GA — 2019-03-05

Final reportERA19LA119
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Date
2019-03-05
Location
Stateboro, GA, USA
Airport
TBR
Aircraft
OSTERTAG WALTER G Velocity RG
Registration
N101WV
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot’s loss of airplane control while on final approach in gusty wind conditions.

NTSB narrative

The pilot and instructor were on final approach for landing in gusting wind conditions when, about 20 ft above the ground, the airplane's nose dropped and the airplane abruptly lost 20 knots of airspeed. They initiated a go-around, but the airplane's landing gear impacted the runway approach lights, and the airplane subsequently impacted the runway and departed the right side; a postcrash fire consumed a majority of the airplane. Given the wind conditions, the abrupt loss of airspeed, and the subsequent loss of pitch control, it is likely that the airplane encountered windshear while on short final approach with insufficent altitude available to recover.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have maintained higher airspeed on final approach to prevent loss of control.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 8 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents8

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