# NTSB GAA15CA297: Czech Sport Piper Sport, N442DD, Spartanburg, SC, September 11, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 11, 2015, 17:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: Spartanburg, SC - Coordinates: 34.919445, -81.952499 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9194&lon=-81.9525&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 3, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 92170 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA297 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92170/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92170 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA297 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during the landing which resulted in a bounced landing, and an aerodynamic stall during the attempted recovery. ## 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: [Czech Sport PIPER SPORT, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0600073), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Czech Sport PIPER SPORT, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=0600073), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded; cases with it: [Czech Sport PIPER SPORT, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=0600073), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Czech Sport PIPER SPORT, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=0600073), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Czech Sport PIPER SPORT, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=0600073), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Czech Sport PIPER SPORT, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=0600073), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Czech Sport PIPER SPORT, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=0600073), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Czech Sport PIPER SPORT, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0600073), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the airplane bounced during the touchdown. He reported that the airplane aerodynamically stalled after he attempted to recover from the bounce and the propeller impacted the ground. A postflight inspection revealed substantial damage to the firewall. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that the airplane bounced during the touchdown. He reported that the airplane aerodynamically stalled after he attempted to recover from the bounce and the propeller impacted the ground. A postflight inspection revealed substantial damage to the firewall. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N442DD](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N442DD), registered now, S/N P1001046 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CZECH SPORT AIRCRAFT AS PIPER SPORT (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Czech Sport PIPER SPORT](https://openairdocs.org/model/czech-sport-piper-sport) (registry code 0600073) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: P1001046 - Year built: 2010 - Airframe hours: 655.3 - Engines: Rotax 912-ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Flightlease LLC - Registered owner: Flightlease LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 4, 2015 - Departed: SPA, SPARTANBURG, SC - Destination: SPA, SPARTANBURG, SC - Airport: SPA, Spartanburg Downtown Memorial, runway 23, 5,200 × 100 ft, concrete - Equipment: Airframe parachute, Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 29, 2014; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 111 total, 18 in this make and model, 55 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.80 inHg - Observed at: SPA ## 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 20150911021829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150911021829A), Sep 11, 2015: Czech Sport Aircraft As PIPER SPORT, Spartenburg, SC, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted] Stated that during landing he misjudged his height and the aircraft hit hard and bounced. While trying to recover the aircraft stalled… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 10, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92170. 2.1 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=40433730&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Certified Repair Station - Damage Estimate (item 2, .PDF, 86 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40433731&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Certified%20Repair%20Station%20-%20Damage%20Estimate-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 108 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40433732&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%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.