# NTSB MIA01LA014: Craig R. Merrill Luton Beta, N545CM, Ridgeland, SC, October 21, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 21, 2000, 10:50 local (14:50 UTC)
- Place: Ridgeland, SC
- Coordinates: 32.480731, -80.979667 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4807&lon=-80.9797&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 17, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 50513
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA01LA014
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50513/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA01LA014

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed on final approach resulting in the aircraft settling fast, touching down hard, and colliding with an embankment on the side of the runway, where it came to rest inverted.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - descent - excessive, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - drop-off/descending embankment
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

The pilot stated that during landing approach the aircraft settled faster than he anticipated and landed hard. The aircraft then bounced and went to the right where it went down an embankment and turned over inverted.

## Factual narrative

On October 21, 2000, about 1050 eastern daylight time, a Craig R. Merrill Luton Beta, N545CM, registered to an individual, crashed during landing at Ridgeland Airport, Ridgeland, South Carolina, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the private-rated pilot received minor injuries. The flight originated from Ridgeland, South Carolina, the same day, about 1040.

The pilot stated that after a short local flight, he returned to the airport and entered the pattern for a landing on runway 3. On final approach he set the attitude for landing and the aircraft settled quicker and faster than he anticipated. When the aircraft touched down, it bounced and went to the right. He attempted to apply engine power but it was too late. The aircraft went down the embankment on the right side of the runway and crashed, coming to rest inverted.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N545CM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N545CM-2001-01-18), registration cancelled 2001-01-18, S/N 005 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Craig R. Merrill LUTON BETA
- Registry model: [Merrill Craig R LUTON BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/merrill-craig-r-luton-beta) (registry code 05606RX) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 005
- Airframe hours: 70
- Engines: Revmaster 2100 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Craig R. Merrill
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 30, 2000, 10 hours before
- Departed: 3J1
- Airport: 3J1, Ridgeland, runway 3, 2,700 × 70 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 484 total, 70 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: NBC, 15 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 20001021014979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20001021014979A), Oct 21, 2000: Amtr LUTONBETA, Ridgeland, SC, Substantial damage. (-23) Upon landing the a/c bounced once and veered to the right and entered a ditch that runs parrellel to the runway. The a/c contacted the ground, flipped…

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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