N334RA

Substantial
None

AERO SP Z O O AT-4 LSAS/N: AT4-016

Accident Details

Date
Saturday, September 10, 2011
NTSB Number
WPR11CA445
Location
San Diego, CA
Event ID
20110912X03833
Coordinates
32.826110, -116.972221
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing and failure to maintain control during an attempted go-around.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N334RA
Make
AERO SP Z O O
Serial Number
AT4-016
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
2008
Model / ICAO
AT-4 LSAAAT4
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
GRAF JOHN
Address
23085 OLD RANCH RD
Status
Deregistered
City
ALPINE
State / Zip Code
CA 91901-2505
Country
United States

Analysis

According to the pilot's written statement, the approach for landing was normal. After the airplane crossed the runway numbers, the pilot initiated the flare. The pilot said that when the airplane was about 3 feet above the runway, it "lost all lift," and the pilot could not prevent a hard landing. The airplane bounced, and while airborne again, the pilot applied power to prevent a second hard landing, but the airplane began to weather vane to the left. The airplane bounced a second time, and a tower controller instructed the pilot to go-around. The pilot applied full power, the airplane yawed further to the left, and the left wing struck the ground. The nose and right main landing gear collapsed, the airplane slid to a stop, and the engine was stopped by the propeller striking the ground. The pilot attributed the loss of lift to a wind gust, and the loss of directional control to the slow speed of the airplane, and the high P-factor and torque from full engine power. The pilot reported that he was landing to the west, and that the winds were reported as being from the southwest at 10 knots, with no gusts.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# WPR11CA445