# NTSB FTW00LA165: Hard Capella XLS, N427LM, Taylor, TX, May 28, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 28, 2000, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Taylor, TX - Coordinates: 30.570461, -97.41014 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5705&lon=-97.4101&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49363 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW00LA165 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49363/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA165 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. A factor was the pilot's lack of experience in the make and model of the accident aircraft. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command ## Analysis The pilot was attempting a short-field landing to runway 17. During the landing roll, the pilot lost directional control of the airplane resulting in a 'tight ground loop to the left.' The pilot attempted to stop the turn with opposite rudder and braking. Subsequently, the airplane exited the left side of the runway, collapsing the right main landing gear, and came to rest upright. The pilot had accumulated a total of 3 hours in the airplane make and model. ## Factual narrative On May 28, 2000, at 1700 central daylight time, N427LM, a Hard Capella XLS amateur-built experimental airplane, was substantially damaged following a loss of control during the landing roll at the Taylor Municipal Airport, Taylor, Texas. The private pilot, who was the registered owner and sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight, for which no flight plan was filed. The flight originated, approximately 30 minutes prior to the accident, from the Taylor Municipal Airport. On the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) and a in telephone interview conducted by the investigator-in-charge, the pilot stated that he was attempting a short-field landing to runway 17. During the landing roll, the pilot lost directional control of the tail-wheel equipped airplane resulting in a "tight ground loop to the left." The pilot attempted to stop the turn with opposite rudder and braking. Subsequently, the airplane exited the left side of the 150-foot wide runway, collapsing the right main landing gear, and came to rest upright. According to the FAA inspector who examined the airplane, the right main landing gear separated from its attaching point, and the lift strut for the right wing separated at the fuselage attaching point. The pilot had accumulated a total of 3 hours in the airplane make and model. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N427LM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N427LM-2005-01-31), registration cancelled 2005-01-31, S/N FW2C80TR172962, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hard CAPELLA XLS (CAPELLA XL) - Registry model: [Hard Jim G CAPELLA XLS](https://openairdocs.org/model/hard-jim-g-capella-xls) (registry code 05606YO) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: FW2680TR1729 - Engines: Rotax 912 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jim G. Hard - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: T74 - Airport: T74, Taylor Muncipal Airport, runway 17, 3,500 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 171 total, 3 in this make and model, 130 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 20000528009839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000528009839A), May 28, 2000: Amtr CAPELLAXLS, Taylor, TX, Substantial damage. (-23)[privacy data omitted]the owner builder of an amateur built capella xls substantially damaged the aircraft on landing at Taylor Municipal Airport.[privacy… 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.