# Accident 20180505004749A: Pphu Ekolot KR-030 TOPAZ, Dekalb, IL, May 5, 2018

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 5, 2018, 11:50 local time
- Place: Dekalb, IL
- Airport: De Kalb Taylor Municipal
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Landing: Approach
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 41.9283° N, 88.7075° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9283&lon=-88.7075&mi=10
- Aircraft: N468KM, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N468KM-2021-01-09) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Pphu Ekolot KR-030 TOPAZ (registry code 060008B, https://openairdocs.org/model/pphu-ekolot-kr-030-topaz) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Rotax 912IS2 (registry code 55590, https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912is2) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PPHU EKOLOT KR-030 TOPAZ
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 3,041 total, 83 in this make and model, 16 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB GAA18CA255](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA255) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180505004749A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

INSTRUCTOR WAS CONDUCTING AN AIRCRAFT CHECKOUT.  THE LESSON HAD TAKEN 1.1 HOURS.  DURING THE 6TH LANDING, THE INSTRUCTOR STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS NOSE LOW DESCENDING TO THE RUNWAY.  HE STATED THAT A GUST CAUSED THE AIRPLANE TO RISE TO 15 FEET ABOVE THE RUNWAY.  THE AIRPLANE THEN DESCENDED TO THE RUNWAY AND LANDED HARD CAUSING THE LEFT MAIN GEAR TO BREAK OFF THE AIRPLANE.  THE AIRPLANE THEN PROCEEDED TO THE SOUTHEAST FOR ABOUT 400 YARDS WHERE THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR AND NOSE GEAR WERE BROKEN OFF THE AIRPLANE.  THE PROPELLER WAS ALSO SHATTERED.

DEMONSTRATED CROSSWIND IS 14.5 KNOTS.

LANDING WAS ON RUNWAY 27.  WIND 250 AT 11 KNOTS GUSTING TO 15 KNOTS.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB GAA18CA255](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA255), May 5, 2018: Pphu Ekolot KR-030 Topaz (N468KM), Dekalb, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper landing flare during gusting wind conditions, and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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