Greg Grouleff BD-5B N727BD

Summary

On 17 April 2002 at about 16:45 local time, a Greg Grouleff BD-5B registered N727BD was involved in an accident near Bessemer, Alabama, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

17 April 2002 at 16:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Bessemer, Alabama, United States

Nearest airport

Bessemer Alabama (EKY)

Coordinates

33.3128, -86.9261

Aircraft

Greg Grouleff BD-5B

Registration

N727BD

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Bessemer → Bessemer

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL02LA087

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's improper landing flare that resulted in a hard landing and the fracture of the left main landing gear casting.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

After a visual approach to runway 5 at 110 to 120 mph with gear down and the flaps half extended, the pilot executed a touchdown on the left main first in a light crosswind. Upon touchdown, the airplane immediately dropped left and veered left, and the pilot had no directional control. The airplane veered off the runway, over an embankment, and into trees. Examination of the wreckage revealed the left main wheel was separated from the gear leg, the left stabilator was bent, and the right wing displayed leading edge damage. The aluminum casting of the left main landing gear, part number LG93, was fractured and showed no evidence of previous damage or cracks.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.