Summary
On September 22, 2010, a Sport Plane Dynamics LLC LIGHTNING (N121L) was involved in an accident near Glendale, AZ. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury, with 1 person uninjured out of 2 aboard. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a bounced landing and loss of directional control.
The pilot-owner completed building his airplane and then performed a test flight with a pilot-rated passenger on board. The pilot-owner reported that the passenger was on board to assist him in becoming acquainted with the airplane's flying characteristics because the passenger had flying experience in somewhat similar airplanes. The passenger stated that after various maneuvers were performed, the pilot-owner attempted to land. Following the landing flare the pilot lost control of the airplane, it bounced several times, veered off the runway, and it came to rest in a nose low upright attitude. The airplane's undercarriage partially collapsed, both ailerons and the rudder were bent, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Airport personnel reported that the wind speed was 3 knots.
This accident is documented in NTSB report WPR10CA467. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N121L.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a bounced landing and loss of directional control.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot-owner completed building his airplane and then performed a test flight with a pilot-rated passenger on board. The pilot-owner reported that the passenger was on board to assist him in becoming acquainted with the airplane's flying characteristics because the passenger had flying experience in somewhat similar airplanes. The passenger stated that after various maneuvers were performed, the pilot-owner attempted to land. Following the landing flare the pilot lost control of the airplane, it bounced several times, veered off the runway, and it came to rest in a nose low upright attitude. The airplane's undercarriage partially collapsed, both ailerons and the rudder were bent, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Airport personnel reported that the wind speed was 3 knots. No mechanical failures or malfunctions were reported.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# WPR10CA467