Pilot Debrief

Flight Design GMBH CTLS near Pittstown, NJ — 2009-03-18

Final reportERA09LA204
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Date
2009-03-18
Location
Pittstown, NJ, USA
Airport
N40
Aircraft
Flight Design GMBH CTLS
Registration
N471CT
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind during landing.

NTSB narrative

The pilot said that he checked the windsock prior to landing and that the winds were "pretty much down the runway." After touchdown, with the engine at idle power, the left wing "lifted" and the airplane began a turn to the right that could not be corrected with rudder and aileron. The pilot added power to abort the landing, which corrected the turning tendency. The propeller and nose landing gear then struck a runway light stanchion and then the ground. The airplane departed the right side of the runway, striking the left wing tip and collapsing the left gear. The winds reported at two different airports near the landing site ranged from between 20 to 50 degrees with speeds between 11 and 15 knots, gusting to 18 to 21 knots. The pilot reported that "The combination of a light aircraft, high wing, and a very narrow/tight landing gear causes a different [landing] characteristic and one that cannot be managed lightly."

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted landing earlier to avoid loss of control.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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