# NTSB GAA17CA538: Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro Sportcruiser, N4465F, Santa Ynez, CA, September 11, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 11, 2017, 15:50 local (22:50 UTC) - Place: Santa Ynez, CA - Coordinates: 34.607498, -120.075279 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6075&lon=-120.0753&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 24, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96021 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA538 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96021/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96021 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA538 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper landing flare in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro SPORTCRUISER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=060002O), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro SPORTCRUISER, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=060002O), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro SPORTCRUISER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=060002O), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro SPORTCRUISER, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=060002O), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro SPORTCRUISER, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=060002O), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro SPORTCRUISER, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=060002O), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro SPORTCRUISER, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=060002O), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during landing in gusting wind conditions, "there was a shift in wind speed and direction," and the airplane bounced and landed hard. The main landing gear collapsed, the propeller struck the runway, and the airplane then exited the runway to the right. 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. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 5 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 230° at 11 knots. The airplane landed on runway 26. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during landing in gusting wind conditions, "there was a shift in wind speed and direction" and the airplane bounced and landed hard. The main landing gear collapsed, the propeller struck the runway, and exited the runway to the right. 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. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that about 5 minutes after the accident the wind was from 230° at 11 knots. The airplane landed on runway 26. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4465F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4465F-2018-12-28), registration cancelled 2018-12-28, S/N 08SC142, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CZECH AIRCRAFT WORKS SPOL SRO SPORTCRUISER (A) - Registry model: [Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro SPORTCRUISER](https://openairdocs.org/model/czech-aircraft-works-spol-sro-sportcruiser) (registry code 060002O) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912-series) (registry code 55569, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 08SC142 - Year built: 2008 - Airframe hours: 3001.3 - Engines: Rotax 912 ULS 98 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Santa Monica Flyers Inc - Registered owner: Santa Monica Flyers Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 14, 2017 - Departed: SMO, SANTA MONICA, CA - Destination: IZA, Santa Ynez, CA - Airport: IZA, Santa Ynez, runway 26, 2,803 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Airframe parachute, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 100 total, 100 in this make and model, 30 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.86 inHg - Observed at: KIZA ## 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 20170911011629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170911011629A), Sep 11, 2017: Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro SPORTCRUISER, Santa Ynez, CA, Substantial damage. The pilot stated that the automatic weather reporting system at Santa Ynez was out of service. To get wind information the pilot overflew the airport and noted… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 13, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96021. 2.7 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=40466661&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 154 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466662&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.