# NTSB ERA14CA410: Bertagna John Just Highlander, N61148, Birdsboro, PA, August 27, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 27, 2014, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Birdsboro, PA - Coordinates: 40.285556, -75.763885 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2856&lon=-75.7639&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report October 27, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - NTSB case key (mKey): 89978 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA410 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89978/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89978 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA410 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper landing flare and recovery from a bounced landing resulting in loss of aircraft control. ## 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: [Bertagna John JUST HIGHLANDER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=05633E7), [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: [Bertagna John JUST HIGHLANDER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05633E7), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bertagna John JUST HIGHLANDER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=05633E7), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/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: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Bertagna John JUST HIGHLANDER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=05633E7), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Bertagna John JUST HIGHLANDER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05633E7), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bertagna John JUST HIGHLANDER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05633E7), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he taxied to the active runway for takeoff. The takeoff was normal and he turned downwind for a practice landing. During the landing flare the airplane "bounced," and power was added in an attempt to perform a go-around. The airplane "stalled" and impacted the runway resulting in a post-crash fire that destroyed the airplane. The pilot did not report any mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, he taxied to the active runway for takeoff. The takeoff was normal and he turned downwind for a practice landing. During the landing flare the airplane "bounced," and power was added in an attempt to perform a go-around. The airplane "stalled" and impacted the runway resulting in a post-crash fire that destroyed the airplane. The pilot did not report any mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N61148](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N61148-2018-03-14), registration cancelled 2018-03-14, S/N JA2890213, built 2014 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BERTAGNA JOHN JUST HIGHLANDER (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Bertagna John JUST HIGHLANDER](https://openairdocs.org/model/bertagna-john-just-highlander) (registry code 05633E7) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912UL series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912ul-series) (registry code 55571, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: JA2890213 - Year built: 2014 - Engines: Rotax 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Bertagna John - Registered owner: Bertagna John - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: PS38, Birdsboro, PA - Destination: PS38, Birdsboro, PA - Airport: PS38, Bert's Airport, runway 26, 2,264 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: minor; airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 16,800 total, 16,800 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: PTW, 9 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 20140827017569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140827017569A), Aug 27, 2014: Bertagna John JUST HIGHLANDER, Birdsboro, PA, Substantial damage. Aircraft wreckage located intact (except for plastic wingtips) next to landing runway 26 on a 160 degree heading. The aircraft fabric covering and cowl were… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 17, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89978. 13.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (No Form) (item 1, .PDF, 14 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417777&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20(No%20Form)-Master.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 14 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417778&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Passenger Statement (item 3, .PDF, 193 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417779&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Passenger%20Statement-Master.PDF - Photo 1 – View of Main Wreckage From Front (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 6.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417780&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20Main%20Wreckage%20From%20Front%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)%0D%0A-Master.PDF - Photo 2 – View of main wreckage from rear view (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 6.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417781&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20main%20wreckage%20from%20rear%20view%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)%0D%0A-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.