# NTSB ATL07CA082: Flight Design Ctsw, N22QT, Fort Meade, MD, April 29, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 29, 2007, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Fort Meade, MD
- Coordinates: 39.085277, -76.755554
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0853&lon=-76.7556&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 30, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Baltimore FSDO-07
- NTSB case key (mKey): 65672
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL07CA082
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65672/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL07CA082

## Probable cause

The student pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusty wind conditions during the landing flare, resulting in a loss of control, and an in-flight collision with terrain.  A factor associated with the accident was the wind gusts.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

According to an FAA inspector who interviewed the student pilot, the student pilot stated that during the final approach to land in gusty wind conditions, the airplane rolled left, and the left wingtip struck the ground.  The airplane cartwheeled, and sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage.  The FAA inspector said the student pilot told him that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane.  Additionally, the FAA inspector examined the airplane, and found no flight control or mechanical anomalies.  Winds at a nearby reporting station were from 310 degrees at 11 knots, with gusts to 19 knots.

## Factual narrative

An FAA inspector stated that during his interview with the student pilot, the pilot said that "the winds were very gusty" during the approach.  On the final approach to land, according to the pilot, the airplane rolled left. The left wing tip struck the ground, and the airplane began to cartwheel. When questioned further, the student pilot said that he did not experience any mechanical or flight control anomalies prior to the accident. The FAA inspector examined the airplane and found no flight control or mechanical anomalies. The airplane was destroyed in the accident. The student pilot did not submit the NTSB 6120.1 accident/incident form. Winds at a nearby reporting station were from 310 degrees at 11 knots with gusts to 19 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N22QT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N22QT-2010-04-08), registration cancelled 2010-04-08, S/N 05-07-14, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Flight Design CTSW
- Registry model: [Flight Design CTSW](https://openairdocs.org/model/flight-design-ctsw) (registry code 0600001) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax SEE BOMBADIER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-see-bombadier) (registry code 55555, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 05-07-14
- Airframe hours: 62.2
- Engines: Rotax 912 ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Christine A. Ellison
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 2007
- Departed: KFME, Fort Meade, MD
- Airport: KFME, Tipton, runway 10, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Student pilot; age 27; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 8 total, 8 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 11 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
- Observed at: KNAK, 14 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20070429014649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070429014649A), Apr 29, 2007: Amtr CTSW, Fort Meade(Ode, MD, Destroyed. (-23) Aircraft model Ctsw. Solo student pilot was landing on runway 28 with a crosswind from the right. After landing, the pilot noticed he was airborne again…

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.

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