# NTSB GAA19CA049: Flight Design Ctls, N21ZA, Elyria, OH, November 4, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 4, 2018, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Elyria, OH - Coordinates: 41.344165, -82.17778 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3442&lon=-82.1778&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 6, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98602 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA049 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98602/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98602 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA049 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during landing in variable gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a hard landing and runway excursion. ## 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: [Flight Design CTLS, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=060005B), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Flight Design CTLS, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=060005B), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Wind: variable wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Flight Design CTLS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md?model=060005B), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Flight Design CTLS, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=060005B), [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 (probable cause); cases with it: [Flight Design CTLS, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=060005B), [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: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Flight Design CTLS, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=060005B), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Flight Design CTLS, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=060005B), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338); cases with it: [Flight Design CTLS, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=060005B), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Flight Design CTLS, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=060005B), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during landing, the airplane encountered a gusting crosswind from the right. The airplane was configured with 0° flaps, and the airspeed was about 55 knots, and the airplane was about 5 ft above ground level. The airplane's airspeed was too slow for the gusting right crosswind conditions, and the airplane landed hard on the runway. The right main landing gear wheel separated from the airplane during the landing, and the airplane exited the runway to the right. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right main landing gear attachment points and the cabin's monocoque structure. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The METAR at the airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 140° at 11 knots, gusting to 19 knots. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during landing, the airplane encountered a gusting crosswind from the right. The airplane was configured with 0° flaps, and his airspeed was about 55 knots when the airplane was 5ft AGL. He reported that the airplane's airspeed was too slow for the gusting right crosswind conditions, and the airplane landed hard on the runway. The right main landing gear wheel separated from the airplane during the landing, and the airplane exited the runway to the right. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right main landing gear attachment points and the cabin's monocoque structure. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The METAR at the airport reported that about the time of the accident, the wind was from 140° at 11 knots, and gusting to 19 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N21ZA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N21ZA), registered now, S/N F-10-09-04, built 2011 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Flight Design CTLS (Undesignat) - Registry model: [Flight Design CTLS](https://openairdocs.org/model/flight-design-ctls) (registry code 060005B) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: F-10-09-04 - Year built: 2011 - Airframe hours: 2396.3 - Engines: Rotax 912 ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Ras Aviation Llc - Registered owner: Ras Aviation Llc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 5, 2018 - Departed: LPR, ELYRIA, OH - Destination: LPR, ELYRIA, OH - Airport: LPR, Lorain County Rgnl, runway 07, 5,002 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Stall warning system, Airframe parachute, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review June 4, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 145 total, 81 in this make and model, 142 as pilot in command, 1.7 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 11 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 2 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.22 inHg - Observed at: KLPR ## 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 20181104021489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20181104021489A), Nov 4, 2018: Flight Design Gmbh CTLS, Elyria, OH, Substantial damage. Upon landing on runway 7, the aircraft was at 10 feet going approximately 61 knots. When the aircraft was at approximately 5 feet, going approximately 55… ## Other investigations on N21ZA (2) 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. - [NTSB CEN13IA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13IA024), Oct 17, 2012: Flight Design Ctls (N21ZA), Elyria, OH, incident, minor damage. Probable cause: The manufacturing defects in the main landing gear leg, which resulted in its eventual failure. - [NTSB CEN12LA676](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA676), Jul 20, 2012: Flight Design Ctls (N21ZA), Elyria, OH, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s misjudged landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 11, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98602. 3.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40474072&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photographs (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 109 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40474073&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photographs-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.