# NTSB LAX07CA228: Dta Sari Combo FC 912, N599CA, San Luis Obispo, CA, July 18, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 18, 2007, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: San Luis Obispo, CA
- Coordinates: 35.220275, -120.647499
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2203&lon=-120.6475&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 31, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66314
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX07CA228
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66314/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA228

## Probable cause

The student pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing.  Also causal was the instructor's inadequate supervision.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - runway

## Analysis

The airplane collided with the runway while practicing a touch-and-go landing.  The flight instructor stated that just as the airplane was rounding out in the flare the airplane made a quick pitch down, which the instructor thought was due to a sudden power reduction by the student.  The airplane nose gear impacted the runway and collapsed.  The instructor stated that he felt the accident could have been avoided by maintaining steady partial power, maintaining a slight nose-up pitch attitude, and landing farther down the runway.  The instructor and student pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the aircraft.

## Factual narrative

In a written report to the National Transportation Safety Board, the CFI stated that during an instructional flight, he and the student pilot were performing a touch-and-go landing at the time of the accident.  The airplane started to roundout in the flare, with a slight climb, followed by a quick pitch down, which the CFI thought was due to a sudden power reduction by the student.  The airplane nose gear impacted the runway and collapsed.  The CFI stated he felt the accident could have been avoided by maintaining steady partial power, maintaining a slight nose up pitch attitude, and landing farther down the runway.

The CFI and student pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the aircraft.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N599CA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N599CA), registered now, S/N 75, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DTA Sari Combo FC 912
- Registry model: [Dta Sarl COMBO FC](https://openairdocs.org/model/dta-sarl-combo-fc) (registry code 05902NP) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax 912UL series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912ul-series) (registry code 55571, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 75
- Airframe hours: 10
- Engines: Rotax 912LL 80 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special); Special, Special light-sport (Special)
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, July 1, 2007
- Departed: SBP, San Luis Obispo, CA
- Airport: SBP, San Luis Obispo County-Mc Ches, runway 29, 5,300 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Flight instructor; age 53; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2007; seat: rear; flight hours: 2,000 total, 2 in this make and model, 1,850 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours
- Student pilot; age 44; injuries: none; sport pilot, student; seat: front; flight hours: 25 total, 21 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observed at: SBP

## 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 20070718015199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070718015199A), Jul 18, 2007: Dtafr COMBOFC, San Luis Obisp, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) A steep approach was made to runway 29 at sbp with winds at 300 degrees, at 8 knots. The student pilot flared at 10' AGL with throttle at idle. The…

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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