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GAA18CA065

2017-11-24 · NORTHAMPTON, Massachusetts, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport 7B2

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a loss of directional control and subsequent impact with approach lighting.

Factual narrative

According to the pilot, during the landing flare the airplane was fast, and he tried to bleed off the airspeed by applying back pressure, but the airplane ballooned. Upon touch down the airplane porpoised, after which, the airplane veered to the left and exited the left side of the runway. The airplane impacted the visual approach slope indicator lights that were located on the left side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. According to the pilot, during the landing flare the airplane was fast, and he tried to bleed off the airspeed by applying back pressure, but the airplane ballooned. Upon touchdown the airplane porpoised, after which, the airplane veered to the left and exited the left side of the runway. The airplane impacted the visual approach slope indicator lights that were located on the left side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Landing flare-Not attained/maintained - C
  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
  • C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Runway/taxi/approach light-Contributed to outcome - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2017_GAA18CA065.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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