# NTSB WPR11CA057: Flight Design Ctsw, N459CT, Fullerton, CA, November 24, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 24, 2010, 12:15 local (20:15 UTC) - Place: Fullerton, CA - Coordinates: 33.871944, -117.979721 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8719&lon=-117.9797&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 77872 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11CA057 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77872/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77872 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA057 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper flare during landing. ## 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 CTSW, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0600001), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Flight Design CTSW, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=0600001), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/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: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Flight Design CTSW, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=0600001), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Flight Design CTSW, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=0600001), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was performing the third landing attempt in the light sport airplane. He reported aborting the prior attempts due to the approach being too high and fast. On the third landing, he descended to about 10 feet over the runway, when a gust of wind blew the airplane to the right, and over the taxiway. He countered with rudder and left control stick input, and the airplane returned to the runway. He allowed the airspeed to degrade, and the airplane landed hard on the nose and left wheel. The nose gear subsequently collapsed, and the airplane veered off the runway and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and wings during the accident sequence. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunction or failures. ## Factual narrative The pilot was performing the third landing attempt in the light sport airplane. He reported aborting the prior attempts due to the approach being too high and fast. On the third landing, he descended to about 10 feet over the runway, when a gust of wind blew the airplane to the right, and over the taxiway. He countered with rudder and left control stick input, and the airplane returned to the runway. He allowed the airspeed to degrade, and the airplane landed hard on the nose and left wheel. The nose gear subsequently collapsed, and the airplane veered off the runway and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and wings during the accident sequence. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunction or failures. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N459CT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N459CT), registered now, S/N 07-08-12, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: FLIGHT DESIGN GMBH CTSW - Registry model: [Flight Design CTSW](https://openairdocs.org/model/flight-design-ctsw) (registry code 0600001) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 07-08-12 - Airframe hours: 115 - Engines: ROTAX 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2010, 18 hours before - Departed: SNA, Santa Ana, CA - Destination: FUL, Fullerton, CA - Airport: FUL, Fullerton Municipal Airport, runway 06, 3,121 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 470 total, 26 in this make and model, 470 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,300 ft overcast - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: FUL ## 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 20101124053289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20101124053289A), Nov 24, 2010: Flight Desi CTSW, Fullerton, CA, Substantial damage. At 11:00 PDT on November 24, 2010 light sport aircraft Flight design gmbh N459CT skidded off the runway on landing at Fullerton, CA airport .on-scene… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 13, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77872. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40340638&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.