# NTSB ERA25LA055: Brunner-Winkle Bird A, N15641, Senoia, GA, November 17, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: November 17, 2024, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Senoia, GA - Coordinates: 33.290257, -84.542612 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2903&lon=-84.5426&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: 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 - NTSB case key (mKey): 195533 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA25LA055 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195533/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195533 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA055 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing, and landing gear collapse. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Brunner-Winkle BIRD A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=1530100), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Brunner-Winkle BIRD A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=1530100), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: attention](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Brunner-Winkle BIRD A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md?model=1530100), [All aircraft, 226 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/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: [Brunner-Winkle BIRD A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=1530100), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Brunner-Winkle BIRD A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=1530100), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Brunner-Winkle BIRD A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=1530100), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the antique, bi-wing, tailwheel airplane stated that he was flying locally when he landed hard on the grass runway. The left landing gear collapsed resulting in substantial damage to the upper left wing and lower right wing. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N15641](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N15641), registered now, S/N 1000, built 1935 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BRUNNER-WINKLE BIRD A - Registry model: [Brunner-Winkle BIRD A](https://openairdocs.org/model/brunner-winkle-bird-a) (registry code 1530100) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Warner SCARAB series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/warner-scarab-series) (registry code 64502, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1000 - Year built: 1935 - Airframe hours: 160 - Engines: Kinner B54 125 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, November 1, 2024 - Airport: 64GA, Big "T" Airport, runway 34, 2,000 × 150 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: sport pilot, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 19, 2024; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 14,990 total, 15 in this make and model, 7,463 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: FFC, 4 nm away - METAR: KFFC 171853Z AUTO VRB03KT 10SM CLR 21/09 A3013 RMK AO2 SLP203 T02060089 ## 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 20241117021929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20241117021929A), Nov 17, 2024: Brunner-Winkle BIRD A, Senoia, GA, Substantial damage. Hard landing resulting in left gear collapse. Substiantial damage to left lower wing. Gear strut dug into grass strip causing aircraft to pivot on nose… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 20, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195533. 1.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17998181&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 81 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17998071&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memo%20for%20record-Pilot-Rel.pdf - Investigative photos (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 162 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17998401&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photos-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.