# NTSB GAA18CA178: Flightworks Capella XS FW2C80TD, N654MM, Hartselle, AL, March 23, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 23, 2018, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Hartselle, AL - Coordinates: 34.407222, -86.933052 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4072&lon=-86.9331&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): 96927 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA178 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96927/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96927 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA178 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. ## 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: [Flightworks CAPELLA XS FW2C80TD, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05902ZV), [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: [Flightworks CAPELLA XS FW2C80TD, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05902ZV), [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-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Flightworks CAPELLA XS FW2C80TD, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05902ZV), [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: [Flightworks CAPELLA XS FW2C80TD, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05902ZV), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [Flightworks CAPELLA XS FW2C80TD, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=05902ZV), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during a wheel landing, the airplane began to drift to the left while the tail was still in the air. He added that he added right rudder to no avail. He added that he "went to full power too late", the right wing struck the ground, and the airplane came to rest in a ditch to the left of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. 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 a wheel landing, the airplane began to drift to the left while the tail was still in the air. He added that he added right rudder to no avail. He added that he "went to full power too late", the right wing struck the ground, and the airplane came to rest in a ditch to the left of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N654MM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N654MM), registered now, S/N 91008, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: FLIGHTWORKS CORP CAPELLA XS FW2C80TD (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Flightworks CAPELLA XS FW2C80TD](https://openairdocs.org/model/flightworks-capella-xs-fw2c80td) (registry code 05902ZV) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912-series) (registry code 55569, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 91008 - Year built: 1995 - Airframe hours: 371.5 - Engines: Rotax 912 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Departed: 5M0, HARTSELLE, AL - Destination: 5M0, HARTSELLE, AL - Airport: 5M0, Hartselle-Morgan County Region, runway 18, 3,599 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Onboard weather, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review November 16, 2017; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 151 total, 44 in this make and model, 151 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 120° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,500 ft broken - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: KDCU, 15 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 20180323010019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180323010019A), Mar 23, 2018: Flightworks Corp CAPELLA XS FW2C80TD, Hartselle, AL, Substantial damage. This aircraft has a conventional landing gear. Upon landing, pilot failed to compensate for reduction in aerodynamic effectiveness of the vertical stabilizer… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 9, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96927. 3.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463040&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 275 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463041&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.