# NTSB WPR20CA230: Seele XPA-18, N113MX, Reno, NV, July 18, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 18, 2020, 07:50 local (14:50 UTC) - Place: Reno, NV - Coordinates: 39.663055, -119.881668 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6631&lon=-119.8817&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: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 101645 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR20CA230 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101645/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101645 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA230 ## Probable cause An inadequate flare which resulted in a bounced landing and the pilot's 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 · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Ted E Seeley SUPER CUB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=05633V5), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/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: [Ted E Seeley SUPER CUB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05633V5), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Ted E Seeley SUPER CUB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05633V5), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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: [Ted E Seeley SUPER CUB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05633V5), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Ted E Seeley SUPER CUB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05633V5), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of a tailwheel equipped airplane reported that, during the planned three-point landing, he flared too soon, the airplane bounced on touchdown and he corrected with the application of engine power. The airplane touched down a second time, initially on the right main landing gear. As the left main landing gear settled onto the runway, the airplane veered left, and despite the pilot's control inputs, continued to veer to the left and the right wing struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right 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 of a tailwheel equipped airplane reported that, during the planned three-point landing, he flared too soon, the airplane bounced on touchdown and he corrected with the application of engine power. The airplane touched down a second time, initially on the right main landing gear. As the left main landing gear settled onto the runway, the airplane veered left, and despite the pilot's control inputs, continued to veer to the left and the right wing struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N113MX](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N113MX), registered now, S/N 002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Seele XPA-18 - Registry model: [Ted E Seeley SUPER CUB](https://openairdocs.org/model/ted-e-seeley-super-cub) (registry code 05633V5) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-series) (registry code 41881, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 002 - Year built: 2015 - Airframe hours: 373.8 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 190 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 17, 2020, 100 hours before - Departed: RDD, Redding, CA - Destination: RTS, Reno, NV - Airport: RTS, Reno/Stead, runway 08, 7,608 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 136.1 total, 31.3 in this make and model, 79.9 as pilot in command, 72.6 in the last 90 days, 28.8 in the last 30 days, 3.7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: KRTS ## 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 20200718007719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200718007719A), Jul 18, 2020: Ted E Seeley SUPER CUB, Reno, NV, Minor damage. The airman was landing at the Reno Stead Airport in Reno, Nevada, on July 18, 2020. As he touched down on runway 08, he lost control and the aircraft ground… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 14, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101645. 5.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 5.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486878&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 190 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486879&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-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.