# NTSB LAX08CA208: Pipistrel Virus 912, N126BF, Bend, OR, July 1, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 1, 2008, 12:23 local (19:23 UTC) - Place: Bend, OR - Coordinates: 44.094444, -121.200279 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0944&lon=-121.2003&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 68378 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08CA208 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68378/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA208 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper flare, inadequate bounced landing recovery, and his failure to maintain directional control. ## 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 · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Pipistrel VIRUS 912, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=05617ML), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Pipistrel VIRUS 912, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=05617ML), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Pipistrel VIRUS 912, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05617ML), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Pipistrel VIRUS 912, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05617ML), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Pipistrel VIRUS 912, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05617ML), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was performing an approach to the destination airport in his powered glider. The aircraft touched down and bounced. It then began to veer to the right of the runway centerline. The aircraft then swerved to the left and the pilot could not regain control. The aircraft continued off the runway surface and down an embankment. The main landing gear encountered soft terrain and the aircraft nosed over. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine. He noted that winds were calm. When queried as to the cause of the accident, the pilot opined that the aircraft had "too much energy" during the landing sequence. ## Factual narrative In a written statement, the pilot reported that he was performing an approach to the destination airport in his powered glider. The aircraft touched down and bounced. It began to veer to the right of the runway centerline. The aircraft then unexpectedly swerved to the left and the pilot could not regain control. The aircraft continued off the runway surface and down an embankment. The main landing gear encountered soft terrain and the aircraft nosed over. The pilot spoke with a National Transportation Safety investigator immediately following the accident. He stated that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine. He noted that winds were calm. When queried as to the cause of the accident, the pilot opined that the aircraft had "too much energy" during the landing sequence. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N126BF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N126BF), registered now, S/N 180VTL9120905KIT49, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Pipistrel Virus 912 - Registry model: [Pipistrel VIRUS 912](https://openairdocs.org/model/pipistrel-virus-912) (registry code 05617ML) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax SEE BOMBADIER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-see-bombadier) (registry code 55555, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 180VTL9120905KIT49 - Airframe hours: 130 - Engines: Rotax 912UL reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2007 - Departed: S21, Sunriver, OR - Destination: BDN, Bend, OR - Airport: KBDN, Bend Municipal Airport, runway 34, 5,200 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; last flight review May 1, 2008; flight hours: 2,770 total, 12 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days - Co-pilot; age 69; private; last flight review December 1, 2007; flight hours: 100 total, 17 in this make and model, 17 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Observed at: RDM, 10 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 20080701840409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080701840409A), Jul 1, 2008: Pipis VIRUS912, Bend, OR, Substantial damage. (-23) Self launching motor glider depart sunriver airport (S21) Oregon with [privacy data omitted]/pilot [privacy data omitted] left seat and flight… 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.