Event FTW99LA053

Factual narrative

On December 16, 1998, at 1726 central standard time, a Pointer KR-2 experimental homebuilt airplane, N202DP, was substantially damaged during a hard landing near Denton, Texas. The private pilot sustained serious injuries and his passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered and operated by the pilot/builder under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The personal flight originated from the Denton Municipal Airport (DTO) at 1630. According to an eyewitness who was holding short for takeoff from runway 35, he observed the Volkswagen powered low wing homebuilt airplane during the landing flare. The witness stated that the tricycle gear equipped airplane landed hard and bounced about 15 feet up into the air. The witness further stated that "he expected the pilot of the homebuilt airplane to add power and recover, but instead the airplane dropped onto the runway in a nose down attitude in a slight right turn." In a brief statement on the narrative portion of the enclosed NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot states that he "hit the runway too hard and bounced." The pilot did not have any further recollection of the accident until he was loaded into the medical evacuation helicopter. The passenger, who was seated in the right seat, stated in the enclosed passenger statement form that "the aircraft bounced upon contact with the runway." The passenger added that "some seconds later I could no longer see the runway because we were in a high pitch attitude." The passenger concludes that "it was not long before the aircraft rolled over on its back to the right and crashed." The airplane came to rest in the inverted position on the right side of the runway. The FAA inspector that responded to the accident site confirmed that the nose portion of the fuselage, the right wing, and the top of the vertical stabilizer sustained structural damage. The homebuilt airplane, which was not equipped with shoulder harnesses for any of its occupants, had accumulated a total of 58 flight hours since new. A witness stated that the tricycle gear equipped airplane landed hard and bounced about 15 feet up into the air. The witness further stated that 'he expected the pilot of the homebuilt airplane to add power and recover, but instead the airplane dropped onto the runway in a nose down attitude in a slight right turn.' In a brief statement, the pilot stated that he 'hit the runway too hard and bounced.' The pilot did not have any further recollection of the accident. The passenger, who was seated in the right seat, stated in the enclosed passenger statement form that 'the aircraft bounced upon contact with the runway.' The passenger added that 'some seconds later I could no longer see the runway because we were in a high pitch attitude.' The passenger concludes that 'it was not long before the aircraft rolled over on its back to the right and crashed.' The airplane came to rest in the inverted position on the right side of the runway. The homebuilt airplane, which was not equipped with shoulder harnesses, had accumulated a total of 58 flight hours since new. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12