# NTSB GAA15CA045: Flight Design Ctsw, N684CT, Newport, RI, April 18, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 18, 2015, 11:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Newport, RI
- Coordinates: 41.533332, -71.281944 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5333&lon=-71.2819&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 9, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA Boston FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 91065
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA045
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91065/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91065
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA045

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.

## Findings

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

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Flight Design CTSW, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0600001), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Flight Design CTSW, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0600001), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Flight Design CTSW, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=0600001), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)
- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Flight Design CTSW, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=0600001), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Flight Design CTSW, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0600001), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Flight Design CTSW, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=0600001), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Flight Design CTSW, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0600001), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that about 700 feet into a landing roll, the left wing came up suddenly, and the airplane turned left. The airplane departed the runway to the left, flipped over, and subsequently sustained substantial damage to the left wing, right wing, and the empennage. The pilot stated he believes a left crosswind gust was present during the landing roll which resulted in a ground loop. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that about 700 feet into a landing roll, the left wing came up suddenly, and the airplane turned left. The airplane departed the runway to the left, flipped over, and subsequently sustained substantial damage to the left wing, right wing, and the empennage. The pilot stated he believes a left crosswind gust was present during the landing roll which resulted in a ground loop. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N684CT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N684CT-2015-07-20), registration cancelled 2015-07-20, S/N 07-08-17, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: FLIGHT DESIGN GMBH CTSW (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [Flight Design CTSW](https://openairdocs.org/model/flight-design-ctsw) (registry code 0600001) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 07-08-17
- Year built: 2007
- Airframe hours: 312.3
- Engines: ROTAX ULS2 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Paul G Laurienzo
- Registered owner: Paul G Laurienzo
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 20, 2014
- Departed: SFZ, PAWTUCKET, RI
- Destination: UUU, Newport, RI
- Airport: UUU, Newport State, runway 34, 2,623 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Stall warning system, Airframe parachute, Auto-pilot, Electronic primary flight display

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: sport pilot, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 23, 2013; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 295 total, 48 in this make and model, 295 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observed at: KUUU

## 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 20150418004899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150418004899A), Apr 18, 2015: Flight Design Gmbh CTSW, Middletown, RI, Substantial damage. The pilot of N684CT was observed landing on runway 34 with a quartering tailwind. The aircraft touched down on the nose gear and left main gear, then exited…

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 1, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91065. 2.4 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40427134&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40427135&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF
- Photo 1 - Left Wing Rear (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40427136&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Left%20Wing%20Rear%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 - Left Wing Front (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 106 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40427137&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Left%20Wing%20Front%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 3 - Right Wing Front (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 69 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40427138&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Right%20Wing%20Front%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 4 - Rudder Attachment (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 89 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40427139&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%20-%20Rudder%20Attachment%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.

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