# NTSB GAA17CA136: Nielsen Martin M Challenger II, N289MN, Punta Gorda, FL, February 11, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 11, 2017, 17:40 local (22:40 UTC) - Place: Punta Gorda, FL - Coordinates: 26.912776, -81.991943 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.9128&lon=-81.9919&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 20, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94709 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA136 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94709/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94709 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA136 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Nielsen Martin M CHALLENGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0563356), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Nielsen Martin M CHALLENGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0563356), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Nielsen Martin M CHALLENGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=0563356), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Nielsen Martin M CHALLENGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=0563356), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Nielsen Martin M CHALLENGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=0563356), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Nielsen Martin M CHALLENGER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0563356), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the landing flare, while on his second landing attempt, the airplane began to sink rapidly, and the right wing dropped. He applied right rudder and power in an attempt to maintain directional control but was unsuccessful. The airplane settled in the bushes to the left of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during the landing flare, while on his second landing attempt, the airplane began to sink rapidly and the right wing dropped. He applied right rudder and power in an attempted to maintain directional control, but was unsuccessful. The airplane settled in the bushes to the left of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N289MN](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N289MN), registered now, S/N 2089, built 2015 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: NIELSEN MARTIN M CHALLENGER II - Registry model: [Nielsen Martin M CHALLENGER II](https://openairdocs.org/model/nielsen-martin-m-challenger-ii) (registry code 0563356) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 503 DCDI](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-503-dcdi) (registry code 55566, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 2089 - Year built: 2015 - Airframe hours: 22.3 - Engines: Rotax 503 DCDI 53 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, November 6, 2016 - Departed: PGD, Punta Gorda, FL - Destination: PGD, Punta Gorda, FL - Airport: PGD, Punta Gorda, runway 22, 7,193 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: minor; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 7, 2016; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 24,687 total, 23 in this make and model, 13,000 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 2 knots - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 45 °F - Observed at: VILK, 40 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 20170211001639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170211001639A), Feb 11, 2017: Nielsen Martin M CHALLENGER II, Punta Gorda, FL, Substantial damage. The aircraft was cleared for a straight in approach to runway 22 at pgd. On first approach the aircraft started to sink rapidly and the right wing went down,… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 22, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94709. 4.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453637&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 781 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453638&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.