# NTSB CEN12CA038: Pipistrel Sinus 912, N9013H, Indianapolis, IN, October 16, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 16, 2011, 14:45 local (18:45 UTC) - Place: Indianapolis, IN - Coordinates: 40.030555, -86.251388 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0306&lon=-86.2514&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 27, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - Indianapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 82124 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA038 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82124/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82124 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA038 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the motor-glider while landing in gusty wind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Pipistrel SINUS 912, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05617MN), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Pipistrel SINUS 912, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=05617MN), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Pipistrel SINUS 912, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05617MN), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Pipistrel SINUS 912, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05617MN), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Pipistrel SINUS 912, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05617MN), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the motor-glider encountered a wind gust during the landing flare that resulted in a 15-degree runway misalignment. The pilot considered a go-around, but chose to attempt a landing in the grass adjacent to the runway because he believed that was the safest course of action. He stated that another wind gust "caught" the right wing and the motor-glider ground looped in the grass, nosed over, and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that the wind at the time of the accident was gusting to 25 knots. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that the motor-glider encountered a wind gust during the landing flare that resulted in a 15-degree runway misalignment. The pilot considered a go-around, but elected to attempt a landing in the grass adjacent to the runway as the safest course of action. He stated that another wind gust "caught" the right wing and the motor-glider ground looped in the grass. The motor-glider subsequently nosed over and received substantial damage to its fuselage. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures. A weather reporting station near the accident airport recorded the wind speed as 15 knots gusting to 25 knots. The reported wind direction was aligned with the runway direction. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9013H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9013H-2023-02-24), registration cancelled 2023-02-24, S/N 088S9120103 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPISTREL SINUS 912 - Registry model: [Pipistrel SINUS 912](https://openairdocs.org/model/pipistrel-sinus-912) (registry code 05617MN) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 088S9120103 - Airframe hours: 664 - Engines: Rotax 912S 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 23, 2011 - Departed: LOU, Louisville, KY - Destination: MQJ, Indianapolis, IN - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: MQJ, Indianapolis Regional, runway 25 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; last flight review December 8, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 531 total, 344 in this make and model, 438 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 15 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.76 inHg - Observed at: IND, 19 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 20111016024949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111016024949A), Oct 16, 2011: Pipistrel SINUS 912, Greenfield, IN, Substantial damage. On Sunday October 16 at approximately 2:45 pm LCL the pilot returned to Indianapolis Regional Airport from a visit to louisville, KY, bowman field. The pilot… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 18, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82124. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40358204&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.