Aircraft: FlightDesign CTSW. Injuries: 2 Minor. Location: Fullerton, Calif. Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: The pilot, who was practicing landings, aborted the first two approaches because the airplane was too high and fast. On the third landing, he descended to about 10 feet over the runway, when a gust of wind blew the plane to the right and over the taxiway. The pilot countered with rudder and left control stick input, and the airplane returned to the runway.
The pilot allowed the airspeed to degrade, and the airplane landed hard on the nose and left wheel. The nose gear subsequently collapsed, and the airplane veered off the runway and nosed over.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and wings during the accident sequence. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunction or failures.
Probable cause: The pilot’s improper flare during landing.
NTSB Identification: WPR11CA057
This November 2010 accident report is are provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, they are intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
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