# NTSB GAA18CA380: Jabiru J250, N722BL, Ferndale, WA, June 18, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 18, 2018, 14:20 local (21:20 UTC) - Place: Ferndale, WA - Coordinates: 48.908611, -122.56472 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.9086&lon=-122.5647&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 June 5, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97612 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA380 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97612/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97612 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA380 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s lack of experience and training in the accident airplane make and model. ## 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: [Jabiru USA Sport J250-SP, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=060001T), [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: [Jabiru USA Sport J250-SP, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=060001T), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Training: training with equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031530): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Jabiru USA Sport J250-SP, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031530/cases.md?model=060001T), [All aircraft, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031530/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Jabiru USA Sport J250-SP, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=060001T), [All aircraft, 269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/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: [Jabiru USA Sport J250-SP, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=060001T), [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: [Jabiru USA Sport J250-SP, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=060001T), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Jabiru USA Sport J250-SP, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=060001T), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, after accepting delivery of his recently purchased airplane, he requested the ferry pilot to "show [him] how to operate the aircraft." During his second approach, he felt that the airplane was low and slow and asked the ferry pilot if he should add power; the ferry pilot responded, "you’re fine." Shortly after, the airplane landed hard on the runway, the nosewheel and right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing struck 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. He added that, before the accident flight, he did not have any experience flying the accident airplane. The ferry pilot stated that he agreed to only be a passenger and not act as a flight instructor. He added that the airplane was configured for only a left seat pilot. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that after accepting delivery of his recently purchased airplane, he requested the ferry pilot to "show me how to operate the aircraft." During his second approach, he felt that he was low and slow and asked the ferry pilot if he should add power; he received a verbal response, "your fine." Shortly after, the aircraft landed hard on the runway, collapsed the nose wheel and right main landing gear and the right wing struck 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. He added that prior to the accident flight, he does not have any experience flying the accident airplane. The ferry pilot stated that he agreed to only be a passenger and not act as a certified flight instructor. He added that the airplane was configured for only a left seated pilot. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N722BL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N722BL-2024-02-27), registration cancelled 2024-02-27, S/N 379 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: JABIRU J250 (SP) - Registry model: [Jabiru USA Sport J250-SP](https://openairdocs.org/model/jabiru-usa-sport-j250-sp) (registry code 060001T) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Jabiru 3300](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jabiru-3300) (registry code 34801, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 379 - Year built: 2007 - Airframe hours: 191 - Engines: Jabiru 3300A 120 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, December 17, 2017 - Departed: WN35, Ferndale, WA - Destination: WN35, Ferndale, WA - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: WN35, Meadow Mist, runway 15, 2,000 × 80 ft - Equipment: Stall warning system, Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic primary flight display, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 93; injuries: none; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 5,500 total, 0 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: KBLI, 7 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 20180618005109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180618005109A), Jun 18, 2018: Jabiru USA Sport Aircraft LLC J250-SP, Ferndale, WA, Substantial damage. Premature loss of lift lead to hard landing. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 5, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97612. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 971 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470013&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - Passenger (item 2, .PDF, 64 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470014&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Passenger-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.