CHI07CA223

NTSB accident investigation · Bush Caddy USA LSA · Chadron, NE · July 20, 2007

Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal report
Date
July 20, 2007, 14:30 local (20:30 UTC)
Place
Chadron, NE
Injuries
1 minor, 1 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Landing
Aircraft
N714QBush Caddy USA LSA
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report August 30, 2007
Report
Approved by Office Director
Parties
FAA-Lincoln FSDO
FAA report
20070720012989A
Case key
66346

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft during landing. A contributing factor was the gusty, crosswind condition.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of control - in flightLanding
Aircraft control - not maintainedPilot in commandCause
Weather condition - crosswindFactor
Weather condition - gustsFactor
In flight collision with terrain/waterLanding
Terrain condition - ground

Analysis

The airplane was substantially damaged when the right wing contacted the ground during landing. The pilot reported that as the flight approached the intended destination, he monitored the Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) and determined that the prevailing winds were from 190 degrees at 16 knots, with gusts to 26 knots. As he entered the traffic pattern for runway 20 (6,000 feet by 100 feet, concrete) he observed the windsock, which confirmed the winds were down the runway. He noted that the airplane touched down about 300 feet past the runway threshold. The pilot stated "the touchdown was a good wheel landing" and he initially maintained control of the airplane. However, a "strong crosswind tipped up one wing" and although he was able to correct, the encounter caused the airplane "to be headed off the runway into a berm." He elected to initiate a go-around and added full power in an attempt to clear the berm, with the intention of re-entering the traffic pattern. The pilot reported that after the aircraft became airborne, he "experienced a severe crosswind" that caused the right wing to contact the ground. The airport Automated Surface Observation System (ASOS), at 1353, recorded winds from 170 degrees at 16 knots, gusting to 26 knots. At 1453, the recorded winds were from 180 degrees at 16 knots, gusting to 23 knots.

Factual narrative

The airplane was substantially damaged when the right wing contacted the ground during landing. The pilot reported that as the flight approached the intended destination, he monitored the Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) and determined that the prevailing winds were from 190 degrees at 16 knots, with gusts to 26 knots. As he entered the traffic pattern for runway 20 (6,000 feet by 100 feet, concrete) he observed the windsock, which confirmed the winds were down the runway. He noted that the airplane touched down about 300 feet past the runway threshold. The pilot stated "the touchdown was a good wheel landing" and he initially maintained control of the airplane. However, a "strong crosswind tipped up one wing" and although he was able to correct, the encounter caused the airplane "to be headed off the runway into a berm." He elected to initiate a go-around and added full power in an attempt to clear the berm, with the intention of re-entering the traffic pattern. The pilot reported that after the aircraft became airborne, he "experienced a severe crosswind" that caused the right wing to contact the ground. The airport Automated Surface Observation System (ASOS), at 1353, recorded winds from 170 degrees at 16 knots, gusting to 26 knots. At 1453, the recorded winds were from 180 degrees at 16 knots, gusting to 23 knots.

Aircraft

Registration
N714Q
Reported as
Bush Caddy USA LSA
Category
Airplane
Serial number
BCLSA-001-A
Airframe hours
31
Engine
Rotax 912S, 80 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Airworthiness certificate
Special, Special light-sport (Special)
Departed
CPR · Casper, WY
Destination
CDR · Chadron, NE
Flight plan
VFR
Airport
CDR · Chadron Muni, runway 20, 6,000 × 100 ft, concrete

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
26
Injuries
Minor
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Class 3, Without waivers/limitations
Last flight review
November 1, 2006
Seat
Left
Flight hours
57 total · 12 in this make and model · 23 as pilot in command · 3 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
180° at 16 knots, gusting 23
Visibility
9 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
86 °F, dew point 63 °F
Altimeter
29.97 inHg
Observed at
CDR

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.