# NTSB GAA15CA212: Main Air Rapier, N5142U, Reidsville, NC, August 2, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 2, 2015, 15:20 local (19:20 UTC) - Place: Reidsville, NC - Coordinates: 36.435276, -79.846389 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4353&lon=-79.8464&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 91705 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA212 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91705/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91705 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA212 ## Probable cause The student pilot landed with variable wind conditions, which resulted in an in-flight loss of control and subsequent impact with terrain. ## 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: [Main Air RAPIER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05902N4), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: crosswind correction](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Main Air RAPIER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md?model=05902N4), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/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: [Main Air RAPIER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05902N4), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Main Air RAPIER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=05902N4), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Main Air RAPIER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05902N4), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Main Air RAPIER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05902N4), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Main Air RAPIER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05902N4), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot reported that the weight-shift control aircraft crossed the runway threshold at 20 feet above the ground, the aircraft drifted to the right. The student pilot "raised the right wing tip, to correct up"; a "large gust" of wind lifted the right wing upward and turned the aircraft sideways. The aircraft impacted the ground, left main landing gear first. His foot "got stuck" in the foot actuated throttle, full throttle position, the aircraft impacted terrain on the edge of the adjacent taxi way. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The weight-shift-control aircraft sustained substantial damage to the wing. ## Factual narrative The student pilot reported that the weight-shift control aircraft crossed the runway threshold at 20 feet above the ground, the aircraft drifted to the right. The student pilot "raised the right wing tip, to correct up"; a "large gust" of wind lifted the right wing upward and turned the aircraft sideways. The aircraft impacted the ground, left main landing gear first. His foot "got stuck" in the foot actuated throttle, full throttle position, the aircraft impacted terrain on the edge of the adjacent taxi way. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The weight-shift-control aircraft sustained substantial damage to the wing. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport that the accident occurred, elevation 693 feet, revealed that, at 1515, conditions were wind at 120 at 3 knots, visibility of 10 statute miles, sky clear. Runway Used: 31 Landing conditions at the time of the accident: about 3 knot tailwind and about .5 knot right crosswind. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5142U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5142U-2019-01-18), registration cancelled 2019-01-18, S/N 0101, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MAIN AIR RAPIER (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Main Air RAPIER](https://openairdocs.org/model/main-air-rapier) (registry code 05902N4) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 503 DCDI](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-503-dcdi) (registry code 55566, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Weight-shift - Serial number: 0101 - Year built: 2002 - Engines: Rotax 503 DCDI 52 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, July 1, 2013, 25 hours before - Departed: 8A7, MOCKSVILLE, NC - Destination: SIF, Reidsville, NC - Airport: SIF, Rockingham County Nc Shiloh, runway 31, 5,199 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 64; injuries: minor; student; medical: sport pilot; seat: front; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 45 total, 25 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: KSIF ## 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 20150802015469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150802015469A), Aug 2, 2015: Main Air RAPIER, Stoneville, NC, Substantial damage. While landing N5142U at ksif on August 02, 2015, at approximately 1526 LCL, [privacy data omitted] encountered a thermal/gust of wind which lifted the right… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 14, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91705. 2.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431787&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Wing Damage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 776 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431788&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Wing%20Damage%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. --- 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.