Pilot Debrief

PIPER J5C near Sandusky, MI — 2016-08-10

Final reportCEN16LA322
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Date
2016-08-10
Location
Sandusky, MI, USA
Airport
Y83
Aircraft
PIPER J5C
Registration
N30313
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing, and a subsequent loss of control followed by a runway excursion.

NTSB narrative

After completing one full-stop landing on the grass runway in calm wind conditions, the private pilot decided to complete another landing in the opposite direction. During the landing, the tailwheel-equipped airplane bounced multiple times and became airborne again. The airplane then veered to the right and impacted a ditch next to the runway. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. It is likely that the pilot failed to control the airplane's descent rate and landing flare, which led to the bounced landing. He was then unable to recover and exited the side of the runway.

Analysis

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

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • ADS-B / radar
  • Photos
  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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