# NTSB CHI06CA226: Flight Design Ctsw, N109CT, Hillsdale, MI, August 10, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 10, 2006, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Hillsdale, MI - Coordinates: 41.92139, -84.58583 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9214&lon=-84.5858&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 29, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 64484 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI06CA226 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64484/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI06CA226 ## Probable cause The pilot's misjudged flare which resulted in the hard landing and his improper recovery from the bounced landing which resulted in the overload failure of the nose landing gear and subsequent nose over. The overload failure of the nose landing gear was a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Nose gear collapsed, landing - landing gear,nose gear - overload (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - grass - Nose over, landing ## Analysis The light sport airplane was damaged during a hard landing. The pilot had just completed an hour of dual instruction in the accident airplane. He stated that during the accident he was sole occupant of the airplane. He stated that during the landing he touched down hard and bounced into the air. He stated that when the airplane touched down the second time the nose landing gear bent and the airplane went off the left side of the runway. He stated that the bent nose landing gear became stuck in the grass and the airplane nosed over. According to the pilot, the wind was from 40 degrees right of the runway heading at 4 to 6 knots. ## Factual narrative The light sport airplane was damaged during a hard landing. The pilot had just completed an hour of dual instruction in the accident airplane. He stated that during the accident he was sole occupant of the airplane. He stated that during the landing he touched down hard and bounced into the air. He stated that when the airplane touched down the second time the nose landing gear bent and the airplane went off of the left side of the runway. He stated that the bent nose landing gear became stuck in the grass and the airplane nosed over on its back. According to the pilot, the wind was from 40 degrees right of the runway heading at 4 to 6 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N109CT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N109CT), registered now, S/N 04-12-05, 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 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 04-12-05 - Engines: Rotax 912U reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Hillsdale Aero - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Departed: Y85, HILLSDALE, MI - Airport: Y85, Hillsdale Muni, runway 100 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review August 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 114 total, 5 in this make and model, 70 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 5 knots ## 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 20060810026499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060810026499A), Aug 10, 2006: Amtr CTSW, Hillsdale, MI, Substantial damage. (-23) On aug 10th, 2006, N109CT, a flight design ctrs light sport aircraft, departed hillside, MI. Airport with one pilot. The pilot attempted landing on… ## Other investigations on N109CT (1) 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. - [NTSB ERA25LA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA021), Oct 17, 2024: Flight Design Ctsw (N109CT), Sanford, ME, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, resulting in a runway excursion and collision with terrain. 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.