Pilot Debrief

STAUDACHER HYDROPLANES S300X near Ephrata, WA — 2012-05-12

Final reportWPR12LA252
Sign in to save
Date
2012-05-12
Location
Ephrata, WA, USA
Airport
EPH
Aircraft
STAUDACHER HYDROPLANES S300X
Registration
N336JS
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing and subsequent loss of directional control.

NTSB narrative

The pilot/owner of the experimental amateur-built aerobatic airplane was participating in an aerobatics practice and coaching event. On the morning of the event, he departed the airport, conducted aerobatics practice, and returned for a landing. During touchdown, the airplane bounced. Witness accounts of the severity of the touchdown and bounce varied. The airplane subsequently struck a runway sign off the left side of the runway during the rollout, and incurred substantial damage. After the accident, the pilot reported that the brakes had failed. In a followup statement, he reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the aircraft and added that a possible explanation of brake failure might have been as a result of the bounced landing. The accident was not reported to any aviation authorities until nearly a month after it occurred. Due to the late report, the airplane could not be examined to determine the integrity or functionality of the brake system or other possible reasons for the loss of control after landing.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted landing after bounce to prevent loss of control.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents5

Related mishaps