# NTSB GAA18CA255: Pphu Ekolot KR-030 Topaz, N468KM, Dekalb, IL, May 5, 2018

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 5, 2018, 11:21 local (16:21 UTC)
- Place: Dekalb, IL
- Coordinates: 41.928333, -88.707496 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9283&lon=-88.7075&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 10, 2018
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 97184
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA255
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97184/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97184
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA255

## Probable cause

The pilot’s improper landing flare during gusting wind conditions, and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action.

## 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: [Pphu Ekolot KR-030 TOPAZ, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=060008B), [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: [Pphu Ekolot KR-030 TOPAZ, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=060008B), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Pphu Ekolot KR-030 TOPAZ, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=060008B), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Pphu Ekolot KR-030 TOPAZ, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=060008B), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Pphu Ekolot KR-030 TOPAZ, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=060008B), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Pphu Ekolot KR-030 TOPAZ, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=060008B), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Pphu Ekolot KR-030 TOPAZ, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=060008B), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Pphu Ekolot KR-030 TOPAZ, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=060008B), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Pphu Ekolot KR-030 TOPAZ, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=060008B), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Pphu Ekolot KR-030 TOPAZ, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=060008B), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, during a flight review, while landing in gusting wind conditions, the airplane ballooned and landed hard on the left main landing gear. The airplane veered sharply to the left, and the pilot applied full power to go around, but the airplane "would not climb." The flight instructor took the flight controls and the airplane came to rest about 400 yards south of the runway. The flight instructor reported that, during the landing, the airplane ballooned and "abruptly dropped" onto the runway, damaging the left landing gear. The airplane veered to the left, the pilot applied power to go around, and the airplane bounced into the air. He added that the airplane would not climb and continued to bounce multiple times before coming to rest south of the runway. He believed the propeller and landing gear damage may have prevented the airplane from climbing during the go around. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 6 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 250° at 11 knots, gusting to 16 knots. The airplane landed on runway 27.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, during a flight review, while landing in gusting wind conditions, the airplane ballooned and landed hard on the left main landing gear. The airplane veered sharply to the left and the pilot applied full power to go around, but the airplane "would not climb". The flight instructor took the flight controls and the airplane came to rest about 400 yards south of the runway. The flight instructor reported that, during the landing, the airplane ballooned and "abruptly dropped" onto the runway, damaging the left landing gear. The airplane veered to the left, the pilot applied power to go around, and the airplane bounced into the air. He added that the airplane would not climb and continued to bounce multiple times before coming to rest south of the runway. He believed the propeller and landing gear damage may have prevented the airplane from climbing during the go around. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 6 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 250° at 11 knots, gusting to 16 knots. The airplane landed on runway 27.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N468KM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N468KM-2021-01-09), registration cancelled 2021-01-09, S/N 30-08-03, built 2017 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PPHU EKOLOT KR-030 TOPAZ (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [Pphu Ekolot KR-030 TOPAZ](https://openairdocs.org/model/pphu-ekolot-kr-030-topaz) (registry code 060008B) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax 912IS2](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912is2) (registry code 55590, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30-08-03
- Year built: 2017
- Airframe hours: 65
- Engines: Rotax 912IS2 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: North Illinois Union Group Aircraft Divi
- Registered owner: North Illinois Union Group Aircraft Divi
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, September 23, 2017
- Departed: DKB, Dekalb, IL
- Destination: DKB, Dekalb, IL
- Airport: DKB, De Kalb Taylor Muni, runway 27, 4,201 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Flight instructor; age 74; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 21, 2017; seat: right; flight hours: 3,041.8 total, 83 in this make and model, 2,892 as pilot in command, 16.7 in the last 90 days, 5.4 in the last 30 days
- Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; private, sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 12, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 167.1 total, 4.9 in this make and model, 126 as pilot in command, 4.9 in the last 90 days, 3.9 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 11 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observed at: KDKB

## 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 20180505004749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180505004749A), May 5, 2018: Pphu Ekolot KR-030 TOPAZ, Dekalb, IL, Destroyed. Instructor was conducting an aircraft checkout. The lesson had taken 1.1 hours. During the 6th landing, the instructor stated that the airplane was nose low…

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 12, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97184. 2.9 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465152&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- NTSB Form 6120.1 Pilot Information (item 2, .PDF, 248 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465153&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20Pilot%20Information-Master.PDF
- Pilot's Statement (item 3, .PDF, 22 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465154&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (item 4, .PDF, 1 photo, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465155&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.

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