# NTSB ERA22LA248: Foster William D Elite, N136WF, Winter Haven, FL, May 30, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 30, 2022, 12:45 local (16:45 UTC) - Place: Winter Haven, FL · On airport, adjacent to taxiway B - Coordinates: 28.06292, -81.753314 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0629&lon=-81.7533&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 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): 105155 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA248 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105155/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105155 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA248 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper flare and inadequate application of power during landing, resulting in a hard landing and substantial damage to the airplane. ## 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: [Foster William D ELITE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=05622Y4), [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 · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Foster William D ELITE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05622Y4), [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: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Foster William D ELITE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=05622Y4), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot, who was the amphibious airplane’s owner and possessed single engine land and sea ratings, was receiving instruction on takeoffs and landings. The flight instructor reported that the approach to the runway was normal; however, the pilot flared too high. The instructor verbally commanded power, but the pilot did not respond appropriately, and the airplane landed hard on the runway. The left, front wheel separated, the airplane departed the runway surface, struck a trench, and came to rest inverted. There were no injuries. An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration examined the wreckage and determined that the damage to the fuselage was substantial. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N136WF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N136WF-2022-12-24), registration cancelled 2022-12-24, S/N 630E, built 2010 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: FOSTER WILLIAM D ELITE - Registry model: [Foster William D ELITE](https://openairdocs.org/model/foster-william-d-elite) (registry code 05622Y4) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 630E - Year built: 2010 - Airframe hours: 164 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 180 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, October 12, 2021, 12 hours before - Airport: GIF, Winter Haven Rgnl, runway 5, 5,005 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 2, 2021; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 165 total, 16 in this make and model, 64 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours - Flight instructor; age 44; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 28, 2020; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,151 total, 5 in this make and model, 1,934 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: KGIF - METAR: METAR KGIF 291653Z AUTO VRB03KT 10SM CLR 32/19 A3001 RMK AO2 SLP160 T03170189 ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 17, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105155. 4.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14054033&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14054121&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%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. --- 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.