# NTSB ERA10CA069: Paradise USA Paradise P-1 Slsa LW, N917ZZ, Plant City, FL, November 17, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 17, 2009, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Plant City, FL - Coordinates: 28, -82.157775 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0000&lon=-82.1578&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 6, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 75074 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA069 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75074/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75074 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA069 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper flare while landing, which resulted in a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Paradise USA PARADISE P-1 SLSA LW, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=060006V), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Paradise USA PARADISE P-1 SLSA LW, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=060006V), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Paradise USA PARADISE P-1 SLSA LW, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=060006V), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Paradise USA PARADISE P-1 SLSA LW, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=060006V), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the special light sport airplane had completed an uneventful full-stop landing and was conducting a second full-stop landing on the asphalt runway. During the landing flare, the left wing dropped slightly and the airplane landed hard. The left main landing gear separated and the airplane came to rest on grass after veering off the left side of the runway. The airplane incurred damage to to the horizontal stabilator. The pilot stated that he did not experience any mechanical malfunctions during the accident. The wind was reported as calm about the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the special light sport airplane had completed an uneventful full-stop landing, and was conducting a second full-stop landing on the asphalt runway. During the landing flare, the left wing dropped slightly, and the airplane landed hard. The left main landing gear separated, the airplane veered off the left side of the runway, and came to rest on grass. Damage to the airplane included substantial damage to the horizontal stabilator. The pilot stated that he did not experience any mechanical malfunctions during the accident. He reported 162 hours of total flight experience, which included 51 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane. The wind was reported as calm about the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N917ZZ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N917ZZ-2025-09-05), registration cancelled 2025-09-05, S/N 0095, built 2009 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PARADISE USA LLC PARADISE P-1 SLSA LW - Registry model: [Paradise USA PARADISE P-1 SLSA LW](https://openairdocs.org/model/paradise-usa-paradise-p-1-slsa-lw) (registry code 060006V) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 0095 - Airframe hours: 90 - Engines: ROTAX 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, November 17, 2009 - Departed: PCM, Plant City, FL - Destination: PCM, Plant City, FL - Airport: PCM, Plant City Airport, runway 28, 3,948 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 1, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 162 total, 51 in this make and model, 61 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: PCM ## 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 20091117051499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20091117051499A), Nov 17, 2009: Paradise US PARADISE P-, Plant City, FL, Substantial damage. Aircraft made a hard landing on runway, left main gear departed the aircraft, and aircraft went off the runway into soft dirt causing the nose landing gear to… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 8, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75074. 643 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 545 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40323007&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 47 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40323008&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - Passenger Statement (item 3, .PDF, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40323009&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Passenger%20Statement-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.