# NTSB GAA16CA388: Canadian Light Acft Sales &Svc Bushcaddy Explorer, N335BE, Island Pond, VT, July 29, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 29, 2016, 12:46 local (16:46 UTC) - Place: Island Pond, VT - Coordinates: 44.79, -71.826385 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7900&lon=-71.8264&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 5, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93676 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA388 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93676/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93676 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA388 ## Probable cause The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle-of-attack during approach, resulting in an inadvertent stall and hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Canadian Light Acft Sales &Svc BUSHCADDY EXPLORER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=0600052), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Canadian Light Acft Sales &Svc BUSHCADDY EXPLORER, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0600052), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: variable wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Canadian Light Acft Sales &Svc BUSHCADDY EXPLORER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md?model=0600052), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Canadian Light Acft Sales &Svc BUSHCADDY EXPLORER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=0600052), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Canadian Light Acft Sales &Svc BUSHCADDY EXPLORER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=0600052), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/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: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Canadian Light Acft Sales &Svc BUSHCADDY EXPLORER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=0600052), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Canadian Light Acft Sales &Svc BUSHCADDY EXPLORER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=0600052), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Canadian Light Acft Sales &Svc BUSHCADDY EXPLORER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=0600052), [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: [Canadian Light Acft Sales &Svc BUSHCADDY EXPLORER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0600052), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was landing in variable, gusting wind conditions and that prior to initiating the landing flare, his approach airspeed was about 45 miles per hour. About 12 feet above the runway the airplane lost lift, dropped to runway, and landed hard He recalled that the airplane impacted the runway about 150 feet from the threshold, the left landing gear partially collapsed, the airplane veered left and exited the left side of the runway, impacted a drainage culvert and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, engine mounts, and the empennage. The pilot reported that during the flight there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with any portion of the airplane that would have prevented normal flight operations. As a recommendation, the pilot wrote that for the conditions he should have approached at a higher airspeed and flared further down the runway. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was landing in variable, gusting wind conditions and that prior to initiating the landing flare, his approach airspeed was about 45 miles per hour. About 12 feet above the runway the airplane lost lift, dropped to runway, and landed hard He recalled that the airplane impacted the runway about 150 feet from the threshold, the left landing gear partially collapsed, the airplane veered left and exited the left side of the runway, impacted a drainage culvert and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, engine mounts, and the empennage. The pilot reported that during the flight there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with any portion of the airplane that would have prevented normal flight operations. As a recommendation, the pilot wrote that for the conditions he should have approached at a higher airspeed and flared further down the runway. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N335BE](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N335BE), registered now, S/N BCLSA(AT)148, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CANADIAN LIGHT ACFT SALES &SVC BUSHCADDY EXPLORER (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Canadian Light Acft Sales &Svc BUSHCADDY EXPLORER](https://openairdocs.org/model/canadian-light-acft-sales-svc-bushcaddy-explorer) (registry code 0600052) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: BCLSA(AT)148 - Year built: 2008 - Airframe hours: 166 - Engines: Rotax 912 ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Morgan Sport Aviation LLC - Registered owner: Morgan Sport Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, June 17, 2015 - Departed: 5B1, ISLAND POND, VT - Destination: 5B1, ISLAND POND, VT - Airport: 5B1, John H Boylan State (Island Po, runway 32, 2,650 × 120 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: none; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review February 9, 2012; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 283 total, 91 in this make and model, 283 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KCDA, 16 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 20160729011739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160729011739A), Jul 29, 2016: Canadian Light Acft Sales & Svc BUSHCADDY EXPLORER, Island Pond, VT, Substantial damage. The pilot stated that during landing approach the aircraft cleared the threshold at over 45 mph, when about 100 - 150 feet down the runway, at approximately… ## Other investigations on N335BE (1) 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. - [NTSB ERA24LA356](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA356), Aug 20, 2024: Canadian Light Acft Sales &Svc Bushcaddy Explorer R80 (N335BE), Charleston, WV, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane while landing in a crosswind, which resulted in a ground loop and subsequent landing gear collapse. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 1, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93676. 2.5 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=40445999&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - Telephone Interview, Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 109 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446000&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Telephone%20Interview,%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 2 photos, 505 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446001&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%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.