# NTSB WPR21LA317: Czech Sport Piper Sport, N643JK, Santa Monica, CA, August 12, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 12, 2021, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Santa Monica, CA · Airport Environment - Coordinates: 34.095, -118.2708 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0950&lon=-118.2708&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 103699 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA317 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103699/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103699 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA317 ## Probable cause The student pilot’s improper landing flare. ## 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: [Czech Sport PIPER SPORT, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0600073), [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 · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Czech Sport PIPER SPORT, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=0600073), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot; cases with it: [Czech Sport PIPER SPORT, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=0600073), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Czech Sport PIPER SPORT, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=0600073), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The solo student pilot reported that, shortly after takeoff, about 250 ft above ground level (agl) she discovered that the cockpit canopy was unlocked. She notified the tower controller of the situation and requested to land. While on final approach the airplane was high, so she reduced power to glide to the runway. She attempted to level off on the glide path however the airplane continued to descend and impacted the runway in a nose down attitude. The lower fuselage and right wing were substantially damaged. The operator reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N643JK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N643JK-2023-02-24), registration cancelled 2023-02-24, S/N P1001019 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CZECH SPORT AIRCRAFT AS PIPER SPORT (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Czech Sport PIPER SPORT](https://openairdocs.org/model/czech-sport-piper-sport) (registry code 0600073) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: P1001019 - Year built: 2010 - Airframe hours: 1546.7 - Engines: ROTAX 912ULS SERIES 99 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Santa Monica Flyers Inc - Registered owner: Santa Monica Flyers Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 2, 2021, 50.5 hours before - Departed: KSMO, Santa Monica, CA - Destination: KSBD, San Bernardino, CA - Airport: SMO, Santa Monica, runway 21, 3,500 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Airframe parachute, ADS-B, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; injuries: none; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 62.1 total, 60.5 in this make and model, 4.8 as pilot in command, 50.2 in the last 90 days, 15.3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: KSMO - METAR: SA 12/08/2021 17:51-> METAR KSMO 121751Z 21006KT 10SM CLR 25/17 A3000 RMK AO2 SLP158 T02500172 10250 20189 51007= ## 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 20210812013699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210812013699A), Aug 12, 2021: Czech Sport Aircraft As PIPER SPORT, Santa Monica, CA, Substantial damage. After takeoff the pilot stated she noticed the canopy was not latched while climbing through 250 feet. She notified the tower, climbed to 1,400 feet and… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 9, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103699. 11.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 4.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12870284&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR21LA317_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 6 pages, 6.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12706759&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%201-Rel.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.