# NTSB GAA19CA433: Brumbaugh David R DRB Raider, N703DB, Laramie, WY, July 18, 2019

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 18, 2019, 08:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Laramie, WY
- Coordinates: 41.311943, -105.675003 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3119&lon=-105.6750&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 December 2, 2019
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 99880
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA433
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99880/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99880
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA433

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.

## 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: [Brumbaugh David R DRB RAIDER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=05636PI), [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: [Brumbaugh David R DRB RAIDER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05636PI), [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: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Brumbaugh David R DRB RAIDER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=05636PI), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Brumbaugh David R DRB RAIDER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=05636PI), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while landing on a grass runway and about 10 ft above ground level, the airplane "dropped" quickly. The airplane touched down hard on the runway and then skidded to a stop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and rudder. 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, while landing on a grass runway and, "about 10 feet AGL my plane dropped and fast." The airplane touched down hard on the runway and skidded to a stop. The pilot further reported that, he was conducting a test flight and added an additional 90 pounds to the back seat. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 140° at 5 knots. The airplane was landing on runway 21.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N703DB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N703DB-2020-09-18), registration cancelled 2020-09-18, S/N 001DB, built 2017 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BRUMBAUGH DAVID R DRB RAIDER
- Registry model: [Brumbaugh David R DRB RAIDER](https://openairdocs.org/model/brumbaugh-david-r-drb-raider) (registry code 05636PI) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Hirth F30](https://openairdocs.org/engine/hirth-f30) (registry code 33730, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 001DB
- Year built: 2017
- Airframe hours: 30
- Engines: Hirth F 30 80 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Flight test, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 10, 2019
- Departed: LAR, Laramie, WY
- Destination: LAR, Laramie, WY
- Airport: LAR, Laramie Rgnl, runway 21, 8,502 × 150 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 5, 2019; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 134 total, 30 in this make and model, 53 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.14 inHg
- Observed at: KLAR

## 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 20190718012099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190718012099A), Jul 18, 2019: Brumbaugh David R DRB RAIDER, Laramie, WY, Substantial damage. On July 18, 2019, N703DB, 2017 Drb Raider serial number, 001DB was conducting flight testing (phase 1) of the experimental amateur built aircraft in accordance…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 6, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99880. 1.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 838 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40475622&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 331 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40475623&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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