# NTSB CEN15CA201: Fiebich Paul Dean Airbike RX40, N61453, Derby, KS, March 31, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 31, 2015, 18:15 local (23:15 UTC) - Place: Derby, KS - Coordinates: 37.555, -97.344169 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5550&lon=-97.3442&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 1, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 91048 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN15CA201 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91048/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91048 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15CA201 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during the landing, which resulted in a hard landing and separation of the left main landing gear. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Fiebich Paul Dean AIRBIKE RX40, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=05605UE), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Fiebich Paul Dean AIRBIKE RX40, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=05605UE), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/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: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Fiebich Paul Dean AIRBIKE RX40, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=05605UE), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Fiebich Paul Dean AIRBIKE RX40, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=05605UE), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338) (defining event); cases with it: [Fiebich Paul Dean AIRBIKE RX40, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=05605UE), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Fiebich Paul Dean AIRBIKE RX40, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05605UE), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot had conducted a local pleasure flight and returned to a private grass airfield. He reported the wind was from the southeast and gusting 8-10 mph. He selected runway 17 for the landing and held the left wing down, to compensate for the crosswind. He reported that the gusty wind allowed the airplane to bounce in the air and then descend. The left landing gear impacted the grass runway and the wheel separated from the airplane. The airplane then traveled about 15 feet down the runway, before the left landing gear dug into the ground. The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. ## Factual narrative The pilot had conducted a local pleasure flight and returned to a private grass airfield. He reported the wind was from the southeast and gusting 8-10 mph. He selected runway 17 for the landing and held the left wing down, to compensate for the crosswind. He reported that the gusty wind allowed the airplane to bounce in the air and then descend. The left landing gear impacted the grass runway and the wheel separated from the airplane. The airplane then traveled about 15 feet down the runway, before the left landing gear dug into the ground. The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N61453](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N61453), registered now, S/N 0001, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: FIEBICH PAUL DEAN AIRBIKE RX40 - Registry model: [Fiebich Paul Dean AIRBIKE RX40](https://openairdocs.org/model/fiebich-paul-dean-airbike-rx40) (registry code 05605UE) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 0001 - Year built: 1998 - Airframe hours: 1012.7 - Engines: BOMBARDIER/ROTAX 503 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, June 27, 2014 - Departed: 35KS, Derby, KS - Destination: 35KS, Derby, KS - Airport: 35KS, Blue Sky Ranch and Aerodrome, runway 17, 1,320 × 150 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 14, 2013; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,188 total, 1,012 in this make and model, 1,188 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 8 knots, gusting 10 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F - Observed at: ICT, 10 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 20150331005409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150331005409A), Mar 31, 2015: Fiebich Paul Dean AIRBIKE RX40, Derby, KS, Substantial damage. On March 31st, 2015 at approximately 1734 local time, a private pilot exercising sport pilot privileges made a hard landing in an air bike RX40 at Blue Sky… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 18, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91048. 1.2 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=40426597&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Main Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 44 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426598&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Main%20Wreckage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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. --- 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.