# NTSB CEN11CA519: Aero SP Z O O AT-4 LSA, N1277K, Colorado Springs, CO, July 26, 2011

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 26, 2011, 07:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Colorado Springs, CO
- Coordinates: 38.945835, -104.569725 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9458&lon=-104.5697&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 81253
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA519
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81253/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81253
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA519

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain proper approach speed and his inadequate recovery from a bounced landing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aero SP Z O O AT-4 LSA, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=060004P), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Aero SP Z O O AT-4 LSA, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=060004P), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Aero SP Z O O AT-4 LSA, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=060004P), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The student pilot was attempting to land when the airplane's descent rate increased, resulting in a hard landing and a bounce. The airplane nosed over prior to the touchdown, allowing the propeller to strike the runway and causing the nose landing gear to buckle and collapse before the airplane skidded to a stop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. A postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies with the airplane that would have prevented normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot was attempting to land when the airplane's descent rate increased resulting in a hard landing and a bounce. The airplane nosed over prior to the touchdown allowing the propeller to strike the runway and buckled and collapsed the nose landing gear. The airplane skidded to a stop. Substantial damage was sustained to the firewall. A postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1277K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1277K), registered now, S/N AT4-015, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERO SP Z O O AT-4 LSA
- Registry model: [Aero SP Z O O AT-4 LSA](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-sp-z-o-o-at-4-lsa) (registry code 060004P) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AT4-015
- Engines: ROTAX 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Skyraider Aviation Inc
- Registered owner: Skyraider Aviation Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special)
- Departed: KEIK, Erie, CO
- Destination: KEIK, Erie, CO
- Airport: KFLY, Meadow Lake, runway 33, 6,000 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Student pilot; age 39; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 50 total, 15 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observed at: KFLY

## 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 20110726016309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110726016309A), Jul 26, 2011: Aero Sp Z O O AT-4 LSA, Peyton, CO, Substantial damage. On July 07, 2011 at 07:30 MDT, an Aero AT4-015, N1277K, registered to skyraider aviation inc had a prop strike, collasped nose gear, and damage to the firewall…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 19, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81253. 119 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1: not obtained (item 1, .PDF, 20 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355966&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%3A%20not%20obtained-Master.PDF
- Correspondence: Record of Conversation, Dillis (item 2, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355967&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Correspondence%3A%20Record%20of%20Conversation,%20Dillis-Master.PDF
- Correspondence: Record of conversation, FAA inspector (item 3, .PDF, 50 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355974&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Correspondence%3A%20Record%20of%20conversation,%20FAA%20inspector-Master.PDF

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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