# NTSB ERA21LA220: Douglas K Thompson Justaircraft Superst, N184DT, Brunswick, ME, May 10, 2021

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: May 10, 2021, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Brunswick, ME · Airport perimeter fence
- Coordinates: 43.892355, -69.93883 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.8924&lon=-69.9388&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: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 103097
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA21LA220
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103097/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103097
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA220

## Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate compensation for the prevailing wind conditions, which resulted in a loss of directional control during the approach and landing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Douglas K Thompson JUSTAIRCRAFT SUPERST, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=05633CZ), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Douglas K Thompson JUSTAIRCRAFT SUPERST, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=05633CZ), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Douglas K Thompson JUSTAIRCRAFT SUPERST, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=05633CZ), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Douglas K Thompson JUSTAIRCRAFT SUPERST, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05633CZ), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Douglas K Thompson JUSTAIRCRAFT SUPERST, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05633CZ), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Douglas K Thompson JUSTAIRCRAFT SUPERST, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=05633CZ), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he was flying a visual approach for landing when, at 200 ft above ground level (agl), he encountered a “microburst.” The right wing rose about 30° and the airplane turned to the left. He corrected with right aileron and rudder control inputs; however, the airplane continued to the left. When he finally was able to regain control the airplane, he was left of the runway at 50 ft agl. He elected to land in an open field adjacent to the runway. After touchdown, a tailwind increased his ground speed to about 50 kts and the right wing collided with a fence as he attempted to decelerate. The airplane’s right wing was substantially damaged. No evidence of a preexisting mechanical malfunction or failure was found during the postaccident examination of the wreckage, and no mechanical anomalies were reported by the pilot.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N184DT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N184DT), registered now, S/N JA284-01-13, built 2014 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DOUGLAS K THOMPSON JUSTAIRCRAFT SUPERST
- Registry model: [Douglas K Thompson JUSTAIRCRAFT SUPERST](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-k-thompson-justaircraft-superst) (registry code 05633CZ) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Yamaha ALL MDLS A/B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/yamaha-all-mdls-a-b) (registry code 80000, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: JA284-01-13
- Year built: 2014
- Airframe hours: 330
- Engines: Rotax 912 ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 22, 2021, 47 hours before
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: BXM, Brunswick Exec, runway 01R/19L, 8,000 × 200 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: ADS-B, Angle of attack indicator, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Onboard weather, Satellite tracking device

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 73; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 806 total, 333 in this make and model, 806 as pilot in command, 53 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.85 inHg
- Observed at: LEW, 18 nm away
- METAR: METAR KLEW 112156Z AUTO 34005KT 10SM FEW055 BKN070 BKN085 11/02 A2985 RMK AO2 RAB34E54 SLP117 P0000 T01110017

## 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 20210510008309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210510008309A), May 10, 2021: Douglas K Thompson JUSTAIRCRAFT SUPERST, Brunswick, ME, Substantial damage. From edited statement of airman [privacy data omitted]: "I was entering a downwind for 19L. I was turning base, other aircraft in the pattern stated strong…

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 10, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103097. 3.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 6 pages, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12421446&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=1%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Pilot's written statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 84 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12422854&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=2%20Pilot%20Written%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- NTSB memorandum for record - FAA interview (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 123 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12422747&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=4%20Memorandum%20for%20Record%20508%20FAA-Rel.pdf
- Photo array (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12421456&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=5%20Photo%20Array-Rel.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.

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