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WPR10CA467

2010-09-22 · Glendale, Arizona, United States · Minor · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport GEU

Current FAA registration · N121L

Make / Model
ARION AIRCRAFT LLC LIGHTNING
Year of manufacture
2010 · 0 years old at event
Engine
JABIRU 3300 (120 hp)
Seats / Engines
2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
20100726
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A05863

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a bounced landing and loss of directional control.

Factual narrative

The pilot-owner completed building his airplane and then performed a test flight with a pilot-rated passenger on board. The pilot-owner reported that the passenger was on board to assist him in becoming acquainted with the airplane's flying characteristics because the passenger had flying experience in somewhat similar airplanes. The passenger stated that after various maneuvers were performed, the pilot-owner attempted to land. Following the landing flare the pilot lost control of the airplane, it bounced several times, veered off the runway, and it came to rest in a nose low upright attitude. The airplane's undercarriage partially collapsed, both ailerons and the rudder were bent, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Airport personnel reported that the wind speed was 3 knots. No mechanical failures or malfunctions were reported. The pilot-owner completed building his airplane and then performed a test flight with a pilot-rated passenger on board. The pilot-owner reported that the passenger was on board to assist him in becoming acquainted with the airplane's flying characteristics because the passenger had flying experience in somewhat similar airplanes. The passenger stated that after various maneuvers were performed, the pilot-owner attempted to land. Following the landing flare the pilot lost control of the airplane, it bounced several times, veered off the runway, and it came to rest in a nose low upright attitude. The airplane's undercarriage partially collapsed, both ailerons and the rudder were bent, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Airport personnel reported that the wind speed was 3 knots. No mechanical failures or malfunctions were reported. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Incorrect action performance-Pilot - C
  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Landing flare-Incorrect use/operation - C
  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2010_WPR10CA467.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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