# NTSB ERA13CA271: Flight Design Ctls, N622BT, Concord, NH, June 5, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 5, 2013, 14:35 local (18:35 UTC) - Place: Concord, NH - Coordinates: 43.202777, -71.50222 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2028&lon=-71.5022&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 July 23, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 87104 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13CA271 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87104/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87104 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA271 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent main landing gear collapse. ## 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: [Flight Design CTLS, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=060005B), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Flight Design CTLS, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=060005B), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/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: [Flight Design CTLS, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=060005B), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Flight Design CTLS, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=060005B), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to pilot, he flew the visual approach at the 55-knot normal airspeed as prescribed by the airplane owner's manual. The pilot stated that during the flare, the airplane lost lift and impacted the runway. During rollout on the runway, the right main landing gear collapsed and the airplane ground looped 180 degrees, and came to rest on the right side of runway 35. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the right main landing gear attachment point and the engine firewall were substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The recorded wind at the airport, about the time of the accident, was from 320 degrees at 7 knots. ## Factual narrative According to pilot, he flew the visual approach at the 55-knot normal airspeed as prescribed by the airplane owner's manual. The pilot stated that during the flare, the airplane lost lift and impacted the runway. During rollout on the runway, the right main landing gear collapsed and the airplane ground looped 180 degrees, and came to rest on the right side of runway 35. Postaccident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the right main landing gear attachment point and the engine firewall were substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The recorded wind at the airport, about the time of the accident, was from 320 degrees at 7 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N622BT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N622BT-2018-03-06), registration cancelled 2018-03-06, S/N 11-11-05, built 2011 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: FLIGHT DESIGN CTLS - Registry model: [Flight Design CTLS](https://openairdocs.org/model/flight-design-ctls) (registry code 060005B) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912-series) (registry code 55569, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 11-11-05 - Airframe hours: 73 - Engines: BRN-Powertrain Rotax 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: James B. McGee - Registered owner: James B. McGee - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 13, 2013, 27 hours before - Departed: CON, Concord, NH - Destination: CON, Concord, NH - Airport: CON, Concord Municipal Airport, runway 35, 6,005 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review December 29, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 60 total, 48 in this make and model, 42 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 7 knots - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 34 °F - Observed at: CON ## 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 20130605008989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130605008989A), Jun 5, 2013: Flight Design Gmbh CTLS, Concord, NH, Substantial damage. On 6/5/2013 N622BT, a Flight Design Gmbh Ctls, light sport aircraft, departed Concord, NH to Concord, NH (con) with two souls on board, the [privacy data… ## Other investigations on N622BT (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 ERA16FA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16FA031), Nov 5, 2015: Flight Design Ctls (N622BT), Queens, NY, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The noninstrument-rated pilot's spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of airplane control while maneuvering at low altitude, over water with no visible horizon, in dark night conditions, which… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 24, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87104. 2.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40394413&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Phone Interview With NTSB IIC. (item 2, .PDF, 98 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40394603&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Phone%20Interview%20With%20NTSB%20IIC.-Master.PDF - Photograph # 1: Damaged Right Landing Gear (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 276 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40394583&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%201%3A%20Damaged%20Right%20Landing%20Gear%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photograph # 2: Damaged Firewall (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 138 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40394584&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%202%3A%20Damaged%20Firewall%20(Photo%20Courtesy%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.