# NTSB ERA13CA255: Flightstar Sportplanes Flightstar II, N677NC, York, SC, May 25, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 25, 2013, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: York, SC - Coordinates: 35.025833, -81.251663 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0258&lon=-81.2517&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report July 23, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA Columbia FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 86999 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13CA255 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86999/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86999 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA255 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control while landing in gusty wind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: sudden wind shift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Flightstar Sportplanes FLIGHTSTAR II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md?model=05903HW), [All aircraft, 114 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Flightstar Sportplanes FLIGHTSTAR II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=05903HW), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Flightstar Sportplanes FLIGHTSTAR II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05903HW), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Flightstar Sportplanes FLIGHTSTAR II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05903HW), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Flightstar Sportplanes FLIGHTSTAR II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05903HW), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot was attempting to land an experimental airplane on a grass runway. As the airplane descended to treetop level on final approach, it encountered a sudden decrease in airspeed and a rapid rate of descent. After arresting the descent the airplane caught a gust of wind and the left wing rose almost vertically and pushed the airplane to the right. The pilot was able to correct the right roll; however, the airplane impacted a fence and continued about 10 feet before colliding with the side of a hangar resulting in substantial damage to the airplane. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would preclude normal operations, and stated that he should have attempted to land with a faster airspeed due to the gusty wind conditions. ## Factual narrative The private pilot was attempting to land an experimental airplane on a grass runway. As the airplane descended to treetop level on final approach, it encountered a sudden decrease in airspeed and a rapid rate of descent. After arresting the descent the airplane caught a gust of wind and the left wing rose almost vertically and pushed the airplane to the right. The pilot was able to correct the right roll; however, the airplane impacted a fence and continued about 10 feet before colliding with the side of a hangar resulting in substantial damage to the airplane. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would preclude normal operations, and stated that he should have attempted to land with a faster airspeed due to the gusty wind conditions. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N677NC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N677NC), registered now, S/N 271, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: FLIGHTSTAR SPORTPLANES FLIGHTSTAR II - Registry model: [Flightstar Sportplanes FLIGHTSTAR II](https://openairdocs.org/model/flightstar-sportplanes-flightstar-ii) (registry code 05903HW) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 582DCDI](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582dcdi) (registry code 55562, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 271 - Airframe hours: 1026 - Engines: ROTAX 582DCDI 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, April 4, 2013 - Departed: 1NC9, CHERRYVILLE, NC - Destination: 01SC, YORK, NC - Airport: 01SC, York Airport, runway 36, 2,580 × 120 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; last flight review August 1, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 344 total, 2 in this make and model, 344 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.27 inHg - Observed at: AKH, 11 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 20130525010289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130525010289A), May 25, 2013: Flightstar Sportplanes FLIGHTSTAR II, York, SC, Substantial damage. On approach to landing the pilot stated the aircraft experienced wind gusts that caused the aircraft to roll to the right. After regaining control of the… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 20, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86999. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 171 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40393872&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum for Record (Weather) (item 2, .PDF, 54 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40393999&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20(Weather)-Master.PDF - Photograph #1: Front view of airplane and hangar (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 476 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40393881&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%231%3A%20Front%20view%20of%20airplane%20and%20hangar%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photograph #2: Aft view of airplane and hangar (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 400 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40393882&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%232%3A%20Aft%20view%20of%20airplane%20and%20hangar%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.