N332AL

Substantial
None

ARION AIRCRAFT LLC LIGHTNING LS-1S/N: 107

Accident Details

Date
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
NTSB Number
GAA15CA052
Location
West Plains, MO
Event ID
20150430X00434
Coordinates
36.884445, -91.902778
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 failure to maintain control while landing in gusty wind conditions.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
ARION AIRCRAFT LLC
Serial Number
107
Engine Type
4-cycle
Year Built
2010
Model / ICAO
LIGHTNING LS-1ALIG
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
2
FAA Model
LIGHTNING LS-1

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
SCHWEITZER JAY A
Address
515 PLYMOUTH ST
City
MISSOULA
State / Zip Code
MT 59801-4130
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot stated that during an approach to landing in gusty crosswind conditions, the airplane encountered turbulence about ten feet above the runway and suddenly lost altitude. The airplane landed hard, and collapsed the nose landing gear, then exited the right side of the runway and collapsed the main landing gear. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.A review of local weather data indicated that there was low level wind shear associated with high based convective activity approximately five miles north of the airport. There were several pilot reports in the area indicating moderate turbulence below 10,000 feet. Additionally, two pilot reports for moderate turbulence below 2,000 feet and low level wind shear were made within an hour of the accident. The National Weather Service issued an Airman's Meteorological Advisory, current at the time of the accident, for turbulence below 10,000 feet.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA15CA052