Pilot Debrief

Glasair Aviation LLC Sportsman near Pinedale, WY — 2011-08-08

Final reportWPR11LA389
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Date
2011-08-08
Location
Pinedale, WY, USA
Airport
PNA
Aircraft
Glasair Aviation LLC Sportsman
Registration
N117CE
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was demonstrating landing the tailwheel-equipped airplane on a mowed grass field, which sloped from left to right. The main wheels touched the ground without incident but, as the tail dropped the airplane veered sharply to the left. The pilot applied right brake and full right rudder in an attempt to control the airplane, yet it continued to swerve until it was 90 degrees relative to the direction of travel. The right main landing gear subsequently separated and the right wing and stabilizer contacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damaged to the fuselage, stabilizer, and right aileron. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Choosing a more suitable landing area could have prevented the ground loop.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

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