# NTSB GAA16CA280: Staudacher S 300, N126RG, Prospect Heights, IL, June 3, 2016

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 2, 2016, 20:10 local (Jun 3, 2016, 01:10 UTC)
- Place: Prospect Heights, IL
- Coordinates: 42.115554, -87.903053 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1156&lon=-87.9031&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 3, 2016
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 93318
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA280
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93318/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93318
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA280

## Probable cause

The pilot's incorrect pitch control during the landing, which resulted in a hard bounced landing, and subsequent left main landing gear collapse, a runway excursion, and a collision with a runway sign.

## Findings

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

- [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Staudacher S-300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=05624BN), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Staudacher S-300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05624BN), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Airport facilities/design: taxiway markings/signage](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017040): Environmental issues › Operating environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Staudacher S-300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017040/cases.md?model=05624BN), [All aircraft, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017040/cases.md)
- [Landing gear system: main landing gear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Capability exceeded; cases with it: [Staudacher S-300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/cases.md?model=05624BN), [All aircraft, 241 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/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: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Staudacher S-300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=05624BN), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Staudacher S-300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=05624BN), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Staudacher S-300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05624BN), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Staudacher S-300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05624BN), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he landed hard and bounced. The pilot further reported that after the bounce, he knew that the left main landing gear had collapsed, and he held the left wing off of the runway until the airplane slowed and the wing stopped producing lift. Subsequently, the airplane veered off the runway to the left and collided with runway signs, which resulted in substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported that the "½ inch fine thread bolt" on the left main landing gear failed during the bounced landing.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he landed hard and bounced. The pilot further reported that after the bounce, he knew that the left main landing gear had collapsed, and he held the left wing off of the runway until the airplane slowed and the wing stopped producing lift. Subsequently, the airplane veered off the runway to the left and collided with runway signs, which resulted in substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported that the "½ inch fine thread bolt" on the left main landing gear failed during the bounced landing.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N126RG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N126RG), registered now, S/N 26, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STAUDACHER AIRCRAFT INC S 300 (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [Staudacher S-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/staudacher-s-300) (registry code 05624BN) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 26
- Year built: 1998
- Airframe hours: 478.5
- Engines: Lycoming IO-540 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Petersen, Alfred C.
- Registered owner: Petersen, Alfred C.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, August 2, 2015
- Departed: PWK, Prospect Heights, IL
- Destination: PWK, Prospect Heights, IL
- Airport: PWK, Chicago Executive, runway 12, 4,415 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 27, 2015; seat: single; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 1,764 total, 193 in this make and model, 1,764 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observed at: KPWK

## 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 20160602005839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160602005839A), Jun 2, 2016: Staudacher Aircraft Inc S-300, Wheeling, IL, Substantial damage. Pilot landed hard and bounced about a foot in the air. Airplane touched down again and during rollout, the left side felt soft to the pilot. Airplane veered…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 28, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93318. 2.4 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=40442716&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Record of Conversation (Pilot in Command) (item 2, .PDF, 60 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442717&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot%20in%20Command)-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 443 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442718&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.

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