ATL00LA090

Factual narrative

On September 9, 2000, at 1835 eastern daylight time, a Jack McDaniel Rans Model S12XL Homebuilt Airplane, N823S, collapsed the left main landing gear during landing on runway 27, at the Homestead General Airport, in Homestead, Florida. The airplane was operated by the private pilot under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The pilot and passenger were not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The local flight originated from Homestead General Airport, in Homestead, Florida, at 1725. A witness to the accident stated that he was watching the airplane conduct touch and go landings on runway 27. "While attempting a landing, the pilot flared and stalled the plane at what appeared to be 15 feet above the ground. The aircraft dropped almost vertically and severed the left main gear on impact." Winds on the day of the accident were 340 at 3 knots. According to the pilot in a written statement: "I made a hard landing on runway 27U (grass ultra-light strip) at Homestead General Airport, Florida (X-51) causing the tire on the left main gear to blow." The wheel pant and blown tire dragged in tall grass separating the left main gear, substantially damaging the airframe. A witness to the accident stated that he was watching the airplane conduct touch and go landings on runway 27. 'While attempting a landing, the pilot flared and stalled the plane at what appeared to be 15 feet above the ground. The aircraft dropped almost vertically and severed the left main gear on impact.' Winds on the day of the accident were 340 at 3 knots. According to the pilot in a written statement; 'I made a hard landing on runway 27U (grass ultra-light strip) at Homestead General Airport, Florida (X-51) causing the tire on the left main gear to blow.' The wheel pant and blown tire dragged in tall grass separating the left main gear, substantially damaging the airframe. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12