Summary
On June 30, 2019, a Skybolt SMITH SPECIAL SKYBOL (N748JS) was involved in an incident near Stafford, VA. 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 failure to maintain the runway heading during an aborted go-around, which resulted in a hard landing.
The biplane pilot reported that, during landing, the airplane touched down right of the centerline and the propeller struck the runway. He added power to go-around, but the airplane drifted right, so he maneuvered the airplane to the grass field to the right of the runway and shut off the engine. He then leveled the airplane, the airplane landed hard, and the main landing gears collapsed.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing "I" strut.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA19CA434. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N748JS.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain the runway heading during an aborted go-around, which resulted in a hard landing.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The biplane pilot reported that, during landing, the airplane touched down right of the centerline and the propeller struck the runway. He added power to go-around, but the airplane drifted right, so he maneuvered the airplane to the grass field to the right of the runway and shut off the engine. He then leveled the airplane, the airplane landed hard, and the main landing gears collapsed.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing "I" strut.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA19CA434