# NTSB GAA18CA416: Aeroprakt A-22 Valor, N712FP, Malone, NY, June 30, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 30, 2018, 19:12 local (23:12 UTC) - Place: Malone, NY - Coordinates: 44.85361, -74.328887 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8536&lon=-74.3289&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97749 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA416 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97749/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97749 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA416 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper crosswind correction during the landing flare in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: crosswind correction](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Fpna A-22 VALOR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md?model=0600044), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Fpna A-22 VALOR, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0600044), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Fpna A-22 VALOR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=0600044), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Fpna A-22 VALOR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=0600044), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Fpna A-22 VALOR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=0600044), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Fpna A-22 VALOR, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=0600044), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he overflew the airport and assessed the winds for landing. During the landing flare, the airplane encountered a crosswind gust from the right. The right wing lifted, and the left wing struck the ground. The airplane pivoted about the left wing and landed hard. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing spar. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind at the airport was from 240° and light and variable, gusting to 7 knots. The pilot landed on runway 23. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, he over flew the airport and assessed the wind for landing. During the landing flare the airplane encountered a crosswind gust from the right. The right wing lifted, and the left wing struck the ground. The airplane pivoted about the left wing and landed hard. The pilot reported that about the time of the accident, the wind at the airport was from 240° and light and variable, but gusting to 7 knots. The pilot landed on runway 23. He reported that when first responders arrived at the accident site, he brought to their attention that the wind was coming from about 310°. The airplane sustained substantial damage the left wing spar. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N712FP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N712FP-2020-12-28), registration cancelled 2020-12-28, S/N 223, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aeroprakt A-22 VALOR (Undesignat) - Registry model: [Fpna A-22 VALOR](https://openairdocs.org/model/fpna-a-22-valor) (registry code 0600044) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 223 - Year built: 2008 - Airframe hours: 2900 - Engines: Rotax 912 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 23, 2008 - Departed: MAL, Malone, NY - Destination: MAL, Malone, NY - Airport: MAL, Malone-Dufort, runway 23, 3,994 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 15, 2017; seat: left; flight hours: 200 total, 20 in this make and model, 200 as pilot in command, 2.5 in the last 90 days, 1.1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Observed at: KSLK, 29 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 20180630008889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180630008889A), Jun 30, 2018: Fpna LLC A-22 VALOR, Malone, NY, Substantial damage. Upon touchdown, left wingtip contacted runway. Aircraft turned to left partially breaking left main gear off and folding nose gear to the left. Prop stike… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 20, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97749. 3.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469720&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 128 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469721&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.