Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the pilot misjudged the flare resulting in a hard landing and loss of aircraft control.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
According to the pilot, he had configured the airplane for landing with full flaps. As he flared to land, a sudden gust of wind flipped the airplane over onto the left wing. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane.
The pilot reported to the FAA that he had flared for landing at 65 knots. He was about 2 to 3 feet agl when the airplane spun around, and came to rest facing the runway.
A witness to the accident, a CFI, told the FAA that the airplane landed hard, and ballooned into the air in a nose high attitude. When it came back down, the propeller blades struck the runway, and the airplane "cartwheeled" around 180 degrees from its direction of travel. He noted that the winds were calm at the time.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX07CA276