# NTSB WPR20CA113: Just JA30 Superstol, N914MS, Puyallup, WA, March 21, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 21, 2020, 12:18 local (19:18 UTC) - Place: Puyallup, WA - Coordinates: 47.098609, -122.28778 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.0986&lon=-122.2878&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 21, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 101098 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR20CA113 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101098/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101098 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA113 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during landing in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in the wing striking the ground. ## 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: [Mark Stewart JA30 SUPERSTOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05636Q6), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Mark Stewart JA30 SUPERSTOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=05636Q6), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Mark Stewart JA30 SUPERSTOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=05636Q6), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Mark Stewart JA30 SUPERSTOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=05636Q6), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Mark Stewart JA30 SUPERSTOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05636Q6), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Mark Stewart JA30 SUPERSTOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=05636Q6), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Mark Stewart JA30 SUPERSTOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=05636Q6), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Mark Stewart JA30 SUPERSTOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05636Q6), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, just before touchdown, the airplane encountered a wind gust from the left, which caused the airplane to weathervane to the right and the left wing to rise. The pilot applied left aileron control and full power but was unable to maintain control. The right wingtip impacted the ground, the landing gear collapsed, and the airplane nosed down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. 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 reported that just before touchdown, the airplane encountered a gust of wind from the left, which caused the airplane to weathervane to the right and the left wing being lifted up. The pilot applied left aileron control and full power but was unable to maintain control of the airplane. The airplane's right wing tip impacted the ground, the landing gear collapsed, and the airplane nosed down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N914MS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N914MS-2022-02-18), registration cancelled 2022-02-18, S/N JA370-04-14, built 2018 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Just JA30 SUPERSTOL (Undesignat) - Registry model: [Mark Stewart JA30 SUPERSTOL](https://openairdocs.org/model/mark-stewart-ja30-superstol) (registry code 05636Q6) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 914UL](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-914ul) (registry code 55553, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: JA370-04-14 - Year built: 2008 - Airframe hours: 115.6 - Engines: Rotax 914 UL 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: PLU, Puyallup, WA - Destination: PLU, Puyallup, WA - Airport: PLU, Pierce County - Thun Field, runway 35, 3,651 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review June 11, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 339.6 total, 171 in this make and model, 208.6 as pilot in command, 17.6 in the last 90 days, 5.1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,600 ft overcast - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.27 inHg - Observed at: KPLU ## 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 20200321001309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200321001309A), Mar 21, 2020: Mark Stewart JA30 SUPERSTOL, Puyallup, WA, Substantial damage. On March 21, 2020, while on final approach at kplu rnwy 35, pilot started initiating the landing procedures. Just prior to touchdown, pilot began flaring but a… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 21, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101098. 676 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 557 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486269&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 2, .PDF, 86 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486270&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-Master.PDF - Accident Video (item 3, .PDF, 33 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486271&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Video-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. --- 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.