# NTSB GAA16CA164: Pphu Ekolot KR-030 Topaz, N717SP, Lake Dallas, TX, March 26, 2016

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 26, 2016, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Lake Dallas, TX
- Coordinates: 33.132221, -97.014167 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1322&lon=-97.0142&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 1, 2016
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA North Texas FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 92907
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA164
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92907/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92907
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA164

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing in a crosswind, which resulted in a runway excursion and an 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: [Pphu Ekolot KR-030 TOPAZ, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=060008B), [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: [Pphu Ekolot KR-030 TOPAZ, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=060008B), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Pphu Ekolot KR-030 TOPAZ, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=060008B), [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-flare/touchdown: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Pphu Ekolot KR-030 TOPAZ, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=060008B), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Pphu Ekolot KR-030 TOPAZ, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=060008B), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Pphu Ekolot KR-030 TOPAZ, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=060008B), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Pphu Ekolot KR-030 TOPAZ, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=060008B), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338); cases with it: [Pphu Ekolot KR-030 TOPAZ, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=060008B), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Pphu Ekolot KR-030 TOPAZ, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=060008B), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during the landing touchdown with a crosswind, the tail of the airplane was "hit with a burst of strong wind" from a nearby lake. He reported that before being able to react, the wind blew the airplane off the left side of the runway. The nose wheel collapsed, the right main landing gear separated, and the airplane impacted terrain in a ditch. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot verified that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during the landing touchdown with a crosswind, the tail of the airplane was "hit with a burst of strong wind" from a nearby lake. He reported that before being able to react, the wind blew the airplane off the left side of the runway. The nose wheel collapsed, the right main landing gear separated, and the airplane impacted terrain in a ditch. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot verified that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N717SP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N717SP-2018-05-31), registration cancelled 2018-05-31, S/N 30/03/10, built 2010 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PPHU EKOLOT KR-030 TOPAZ (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [Pphu Ekolot KR-030 TOPAZ](https://openairdocs.org/model/pphu-ekolot-kr-030-topaz) (registry code 060008B) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax 912UL](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912ul) (registry code 55592, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30-03-10
- Year built: 2010
- Airframe hours: 367
- Engines: Rotax 912 80 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Niu Group Ad Inc
- Registered owner: Niu Group Ad Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 16, 2015
- Departed: 30F, Lake Dallas, TX
- Destination: 30F, Lake Dallas, TX
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 30F, Lakeview, runway 18L, 2,815 × 30 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Airframe parachute, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Handheld GPS, Onboard weather

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; last flight review July 30, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 286 total, 286 in this make and model, 141 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observed at: KDTO, 10 nm away

## 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 20160326003339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160326003339A), Mar 26, 2016: Pphu Ekolot KR-030 TOPAZ, Lake Dallas, TX, Substantial damage. During landing sequence, the throttle was rolled back, aircraft touched down, wind burst picked him up. On second touchdown another burst picked up the…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 2, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92907. 3.6 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439526&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 3 photos, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439527&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%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.

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