# NTSB GAA18CA065: Aveko Sro VL-3C-1, N876MB, Northampton, MA, November 24, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 24, 2017, 08:00 local (13:00 UTC) - Place: Northampton, MA - Coordinates: 42.230308, -71.529953 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2303&lon=-71.5300&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 5, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96403 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA065 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96403/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96403 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA065 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a loss of directional control and subsequent impact with approach lighting. ## 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: [Aveko Sro VL-3C-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=060006K), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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: [Aveko Sro VL-3C-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=060006K), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Aveko Sro VL-3C-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=060006K), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: runway/taxi/approach light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Aveko Sro VL-3C-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/cases.md?model=060006K), [All aircraft, 106 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Aveko Sro VL-3C-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=060006K), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Aveko Sro VL-3C-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=060006K), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Aveko Sro VL-3C-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=060006K), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, during the landing flare the airplane was fast, and he tried to bleed off the airspeed by applying back pressure, but the airplane ballooned. Upon touchdown the airplane porpoised, after which, the airplane veered to the left and exited the left side of the runway. The airplane impacted the visual approach slope indicator lights that were located on the left side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, during the landing flare the airplane was fast, and he tried to bleed off the airspeed by applying back pressure, but the airplane ballooned. Upon touch down the airplane porpoised, after which, the airplane veered to the left and exited the left side of the runway. The airplane impacted the visual approach slope indicator lights that were located on the left side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N876MB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N876MB-2019-04-22), registration cancelled 2019-04-22, S/N VL-3-29, built 2009 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AVEKO SRO VL-3C-1 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Aveko Sro VL-3C-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/aveko-sro-vl-3c-1) (registry code 060006K) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: VL-3-29 - Year built: 2009 - Airframe hours: 142.5 - Engines: Rotax 912 ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, September 15, 2017 - Departed: KCEF, Chicopee, MA - Destination: 7B2, NORTHAMPTON, MA - Airport: 7B2, Northampton, runway 14, 3,335 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Stall warning system, Airframe parachute, Auto-pilot, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 15, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 156.3 total, 17.1 in this make and model, 129.5 as pilot in command, 3.5 in the last 90 days, 1.5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 23 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: KCEF, 8 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 20171124021959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171124021959A), Nov 24, 2017: Aveko Sro VL-3C-1, Northampton, MA, Substantial damage. (The pilot provided a written statment) the aircraft took off from westover airport (cef), going to Northampton airport (7B2). The flight was uneventful up… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 7, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96403. 6.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 6.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463002&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 212 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463003&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.