# NTSB CEN21LA311: Eslinger C W/Eslinger S M Cassutt, N8277S, Pryor, OK, July 7, 2021

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: July 7, 2021, 07:22 local (12:22 UTC)
- Place: Pryor, OK
- Coordinates: 36.225389, -95.330056 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2254&lon=-95.3301&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Flight Standards District Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 103445
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN21LA311
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103445/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103445
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA311

## Probable cause

The pilot’s high flare and failure to execute a go-around which resulted in a hard landing and runway excursion.

## Findings

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

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Eslinger C W/Eslinger S M CASSUTT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05606YQ), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Eslinger C W/Eslinger S M CASSUTT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=05606YQ), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Eslinger C W/Eslinger S M CASSUTT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=05606YQ), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Eslinger C W/Eslinger S M CASSUTT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=05606YQ), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Eslinger C W/Eslinger S M CASSUTT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05606YQ), [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: [Eslinger C W/Eslinger S M CASSUTT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05606YQ), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Eslinger C W/Eslinger S M CASSUTT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05606YQ), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that while landing the tailwheel-equipped airplane, he flared high, and the airplane landed hard. The airplane subsequently veered off the right side of the runway, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported he should have added power and performed a go around.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8277S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8277S-2021-11-04), registration cancelled 2021-11-04, S/N 02, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ESLINGER C W/ESLINGER S M CASSUTT
- Registry model: [Eslinger C W/Eslinger S M CASSUTT](https://openairdocs.org/model/eslinger-c-w-eslinger-s-m-cassutt) (registry code 05606YQ) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 02
- Year built: 1999
- Airframe hours: 369
- Engines: Lycoming O-235-C1 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Eslinger Carl W
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, July 4, 2021, 1 hours before
- Departed: H71, Pryor, OK
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: H71, Mid-America Industrial, runway 18/36, 4,992 × 72 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 73; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 15, 2019; seat: single; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 2,164 total, 370 in this make and model, 2,118 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observed at: KGCM, 8 nm away
- METAR: KGCM 071215Z AUTO 00000KT 5SM BR CLR 21/20 A2998 RMK AO2

## 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 20210707012729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210707012729A), Jul 7, 2021: Eslinger C W/Eslinger S M CASSUTT, Pryor, OK, Destroyed. On July 7, 2021, at approximately 0720 CST, the pilot of a Cassutt amateur built tailwheel aircraft, N8277S, lost control of the aircraft while landing on rwy…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 16, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103445. 2.8 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12515674&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photo of airplane at accident site (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12516110&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo-Rel.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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