# NTSB GAA17CA273: Adrian George W Europa Classic, N7854M, Wellington, KS, May 5, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 5, 2017, 18:13 local (23:13 UTC) - Place: Wellington, KS - Coordinates: 37.319721, -97.387779 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3197&lon=-97.3878&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 5, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95148 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA273 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95148/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95148 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA273 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper landing flare and exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. ## 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: [Adrian George W EUROPA-CLASSIC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05614JG), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Adrian George W EUROPA-CLASSIC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=05614JG), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Adrian George W EUROPA-CLASSIC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=05614JG), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Adrian George W EUROPA-CLASSIC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=05614JG), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Adrian George W EUROPA-CLASSIC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=05614JG), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Adrian George W EUROPA-CLASSIC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=05614JG), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Adrian George W EUROPA-CLASSIC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05614JG), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Adrian George W EUROPA-CLASSIC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05614JG), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Adrian George W EUROPA-CLASSIC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05614JG), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the landing, "about 4-6 ft" above the runway, the airspeed decreased, and the airplane aerodynamically stalled. He added that the airplane landed hard, veered off the runway to the right, and came to rest with the nose down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the landing, "about 4-6 ft." above the runway, the airspeed decreased and the airplane aerodynamically stalled. He added that the airplane landed hard, veered off the runway to the right, and came to rest with the nose down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7854M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7854M-2017-10-05), registration cancelled 2017-10-05, S/N A034, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ADRIAN GEORGE W EUROPA CLASSIC (UNDESIGNAT) - Registry model: [Adrian George W EUROPA-CLASSIC](https://openairdocs.org/model/adrian-george-w-europa-classic) (registry code 05614JG) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: A034 - Year built: 2003 - Airframe hours: 132.8 - Engines: Jabiru 3300A 120 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, June 19, 2016 - Departed: EGT, Wellington, KS - Destination: EGT, Wellington, KS - Airport: EGT, Wellington Muni, runway 35, 4,201 × 100 ft, concrete - Equipment: Stall warning system, Auto-pilot, Electronic primary flight display, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 22, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 109 total, 12 in this make and model, 109 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: WLD, 19 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 20170505009179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170505009179A), May 5, 2017: Adrian George W EUROPA-CLASSIC, Wellington, KS, Substantial damage. While practicing takeoffs and landings, on his last approach the pilot stalled the aircraft at approximately 6 feet above the runway, resulting in a hard… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 13, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95148. 2.0 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=40453049&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 91 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453048&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.