Summary
On July 11, 2015, a Brandt Leroy E CHALLENGER II (N434LB) was involved in an incident near Batavia, NY. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent loss of directional control.
The pilot of the experimental light sport airplane was performing touch and go takeoffs and landings in the airport traffic pattern. He stated that the second landing was "hard," but he continued the flight and performed a third takeoff and landing. The third landing was also hard, and the airplane bounced. The nose landing gear separated, and the airplane departed the runway and came to rest in the grass, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.
This incident is documented in NTSB report ERA15CA267. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N434LB.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent loss of directional control.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot of the experimental light sport airplane was performing touch and go takeoffs and landings in the airport traffic pattern. He stated that the second landing was "hard," but he continued the flight and performed a third takeoff and landing. The third landing was also hard, and the airplane bounced. The nose landing gear separated, and the airplane departed the runway and came to rest in the grass, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA15CA267