# NTSB ERA12CA042: Moyes Bailey Dragonfly, N103ST, Massey, MD, October 18, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 18, 2011, 17:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Massey, MD - Coordinates: 39.299167, -75.799163 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2992&lon=-75.7992&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 8, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 82108 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA042 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82108/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82108 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA042 ## Probable cause The pilot did not maintain airspeed during approach to landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Moyes Bailey DRAGONFLY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=05903MI), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Moyes Bailey DRAGONFLY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=05903MI), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Moyes Bailey DRAGONFLY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=05903MI), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Moyes Bailey DRAGONFLY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05903MI), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that this was his first time flying the light sport airplane, and he was getting familiarized with the airplane’s flight and landing characteristics. He completed one uneventful landing. On the second landing, he did not maintain airspeed, and the airplane stalled just before touchdown. A witness reported that, as the airplane was approaching to land, its right wing dropped and impacted the ground. The airplane then spun toward the right before the nose section impacted the ground and sustained substantial damage. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane or any of its systems prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that this was his first time flying the light sport airplane and just completed the first landing. He was getting familiarized with the airplane’s flight and landing characteristics. On the second landing, he permitted the airspeed low and the airplane stalled just prior to touchdown. A witness observed the airplane as it was approaching to land, its right wing dropped, impacting the ground. It then spun towards the right before the nose section impacted the ground; incurring substantial damage. The pilot stated there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane or any of its systems prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N103ST](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N103ST), registered now, S/N 16, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MOYES BAILEY DRAGONFLY - Registry model: [Moyes Bailey DRAGONFLY](https://openairdocs.org/model/moyes-bailey-dragonfly) (registry code 05901QV) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 582UL DCDI](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582ul-dcdi) (registry code 55563, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 16 - Engines: ROTAX 582UL DCDI 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Ralph S. De Groodt - Registered owner: Williamson John F - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Departed: MD1, Massey, MD - Destination: MD1, Massey, MD - Airport: MD1, Massey Aerodrome, runway 09, 1,000 × 75 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2010; seat: front; flight hours: 938 total, 1 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: MD! ## 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 20111018024089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111018024089A), Oct 18, 2011: Moyes Bailey DRAGONFLY, Massey, MD, Substantial damage. Pilot was doing take off and landings. On his second landing the airplane stalled on short final, causing substantial damage to the nose of the aircraft. Pilot… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 19, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82108. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 909 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356643&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statement (item 2, .PDF, 121 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356644&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%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.