# NTSB ERA10CA145: Clopton Aero Aerocomp Compair 7SL, N286JL, Merritt Island, FL, February 8, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 8, 2010, 11:50 local (16:50 UTC) - Place: Merritt Island, FL - Coordinates: 28.341388, -80.685279 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.3414&lon=-80.6853&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 17, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 75379 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA145 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75379/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75379 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA145 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during landing. ## 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: [Clopton Aero AEROCOMP COMPAIR 7SL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05619JS), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Clopton Aero AEROCOMP COMPAIR 7SL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=05619JS), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/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); cases with it: [Clopton Aero AEROCOMP COMPAIR 7SL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=05619JS), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Clopton Aero AEROCOMP COMPAIR 7SL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05619JS), [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: [Clopton Aero AEROCOMP COMPAIR 7SL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05619JS), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot of the experimental, amateur-built, turboprop airplane, the airplane was configured for landing while on the downwind and base legs for runway 29. During the final approach segment, the airplane was aligned with the runway centerline and airspeed and power were stabilized. At the approach end of the runway, the airplane suddenly dropped, resulting in a hard bounce. Corrections were made and on the second bounce, power was added for a go-around procedure. The engine did not respond to the thrust lever input. The continued bouncing resulted in a loss of directional control and the airplane exited the runway to the left. According to the owner/pilot-rated-passenger, the pilot turned downwind and at base leg, was exceeding the recommended approach speed by 20 knots. Upon turn to final they were approaching the runway “hot.” Airspeed was 80 plus knots and the stall speed for the airplane was 68 to 70 knots. The airplane bounced hard and a go-around was attempted, but was unsuccessful because the turbine spooling was too slow. The airplane exited the runway to the center median with another hard bounce, then with the ensuing crash. The pilot reported that she had accumulated a total time of 15,000 hours; of which, 3.5 hours were in the accident airplane. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot of the experimental, amateur-built, turboprop airplane, the airplane was configured for landing while on the downwind and base legs for runway 29. During the final approach segment, the airplane was aligned with the runway centerline and airspeed and power were stabilized. At the approach end of the runway, the airplane suddenly dropped, resulting in a hard bounce. Corrections were made and on the second bounce, power was added for a go-around procedure. The engine did not respond to the thrust lever input. The continued bouncing resulted in a loss of directional control and the airplane exited the runway to the left. According to the owner/pilot-rated-passenger, the pilot turned downwind and at base leg, was exceeding the recommended approach speed by 20 knots. Upon turn to final they were approaching the runway “hot.” Airspeed was 80 plus knots and the stall speed for the airplane was 68 to 70 knots. The airplane bounced hard and a go-around was attempted, but was unsuccessful because the turbine spooling was too slow. The airplane exited the runway to the center median with another hard bounce, then with the ensuing crash. The pilot reported on that she had accumulated a total time of 15,000 hours; of which, 3.5 hours were in the accident airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N286JL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N286JL-2013-05-14), registration cancelled 2013-05-14, S/N 057222, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CLOPTON AERO LLC AEROCOMP COMPAIR 7SL - Registry model: [Clopton Aero AEROCOMP COMPAIR 7SL](https://openairdocs.org/model/clopton-aero-aerocomp-compair-7sl) (registry code 05619JS) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Walter 601D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/walter-601d) (registry code 64005, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 057222 - Airframe hours: 100 - Engines: WALTER 601D 724 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, May 31, 2009, 7 hours before - Departed: TLH, Tallalhassee, FL - Destination: COI, Merritt Island, FL - Airport: COI, Merritt Island Airport, runway 29, 3,601 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 69; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 4, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 15,000 total, 4 in this make and model, 10,000 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours - Other flight crew; age 60; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2008; seat: right; flight hours: 188 total, 49 in this make and model, 0 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 5 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: COF, 3 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 20100208028229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100208028229A), Feb 8, 2010: Clopton Aer AEROCOMP CO, Merritt Island, FL, Substantial damage. N286JL, an experimental amatuer built aerocomp 7SL was on a day VFR flight from tallahassee, FL (ktlh) to Merritt Island, FL (kcoi). Upon landing on RW29,… ## Other investigations on N286JL (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 MIA07LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA07LA032), Dec 21, 2006: Clopton Aero Aerocomp Compair 7SL (N286JL), Merritt Island, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The airplane manufacturer's inadequate maintenance prior to final aircraft delivery, which resulted in fuel filter blockage and engine fuel starvation. ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 8, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75379. 4.8 MB in all. - Reports from Federal Agencies, FAA Inspector's Statement. (item 1, .PDF, 37 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40326477&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Federal%20Agencies,%20FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement.-Master.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1, (Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 326 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40326478&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1,%20(Pilot)-Redacted.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1, (Owner) (item 3, .PDF, 858 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40326479&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1,%20(Owner)-Redacted.PDF - FAA Digital Photo; Landing Gear Tracks (item 4, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40326481&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Digital%20Photo;%20Landing%20Gear%20Tracks-Master.PDF - FAA Digital Photo; Prop and Nose gear damage (item 5, .PDF, 985 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40326486&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Digital%20Photo;%20Prop%20and%20Nose%20gear%20damage-Master.PDF - FAA Digital Photo; Right Wing Damge (item 6, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40326489&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Digital%20Photo;%20Right%20Wing%20Damge-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.