# NTSB ERA20CA153: Lancair Super ES, N855SH, Merritt Island, FL, April 19, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 19, 2020, 11:15 local (15:15 UTC) - Place: Merritt Island, FL - Coordinates: 28.341667, -80.685554 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.3417&lon=-80.6856&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 29, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA / FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 101184 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA20CA153 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101184/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101184 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA153 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain a stabilized approach and improper landing flare, which resulted in a porpoised landing. ## 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 · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Henderson Sarah SUPER ES, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=05638XN), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Henderson Sarah SUPER ES, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=05638XN), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Henderson Sarah SUPER ES, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05638XN), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Henderson Sarah SUPER ES, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=05638XN), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338); cases with it: [Henderson Sarah SUPER ES, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=05638XN), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Henderson Sarah SUPER ES, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05638XN), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while on the final approach to land, the airplane may have been a little fast. When the airplane touched down on the runway, it porpoised, which resulted in the separation of the nose landing gear. The airplane then veered off the runway onto grass. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall and engine mount. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the airplane reported that, while on the final approach to land, the airplane may have been a little fast. When the airplane touched down on the runway it porpoised and resulted in separation of the nose gear. The airplane impacted the runway surface and veered off the runway onto the adjacent grass. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall and engine mount. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N855SH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N855SH), registered now, S/N 059, built 2020 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LANCAIR SUPER ES - Registry model: [Henderson Sarah SUPER ES](https://openairdocs.org/model/henderson-sarah-super-es) (registry code 05638XN) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-550 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-550-series) (registry code 17042, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 059 - Year built: 2020 - Airframe hours: 26 - Engines: Continental IO-550N 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Sarah Henderson - Registered owner: Sarah Henderson - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, March 20, 2020 - Departed: COI, Merritt Island, FL - Destination: COI, Merritt Island, FL - Airport: COI, Merritt Island, runway 29, 3,601 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Angle of attack indicator, Auto-pilot, Data recorder ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 27, 2020; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,575 total, 24 in this make and model, 1,304 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: COF, 8 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 20200419001249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200419001249A), Apr 19, 2020: Henderson Sarah SUPER ES, Merritt Island, FL, Substantial damage. Upon landing the pilot stated that she landing hot and bounced the aircraft causing damage to the engine and propeller. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 5, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101184. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 881 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40483415&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of phone conversation (Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 96 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40483416&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20phone%20conversation%20(Pilot)-Master.PDF - Damage photos (item 3, .PDF, 153 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40483417&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Damage%20photos-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.