Pilot Debrief

FLIGHT DESIGN CTLS near Elyria, OH — 2012-07-20

Final reportCEN12LA676
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Date
2012-07-20
Location
Elyria, OH, USA
Airport
LPR
Aircraft
FLIGHT DESIGN CTLS
Registration
N21ZA
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot’s misjudged landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, on the day of the accident, he had accomplished three landings in the accident airplane and that he was pleased with these landings. Forty-five minutes after the last day landing, he took off for a night flight. During the first attempted landing, he misjudged the flare, and the airplane bounced. He subsequently performed a go-around and again misjudged the landing flare. The airplane subsequently bounced hard on the runway, which resulted in a flat nosewheel tire and firewall and right main landing gear damage. Although examination of the right main landing gear leg revealed several manufacturing defects that have since been addressed by the landing gear leg manufacturer, the accident was likely caused by the pilot's misjudged landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing and the subsequent right main landing gear damage.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have opted for a safer landing approach after the first bounce.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents3

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