Sport Plane Dynamics LIGHTNING N121L

Summary

On 22 September 2010 at about 16:51 local time, a Sport Plane Dynamics LIGHTNING registered N121L was involved in an accident near Glendale, Arizona, United States. 2 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

22 September 2010 at 16:51

Classification

Accident

Location

Glendale, Arizona, United States

Nearest airport

Glendale Municipal (GEU)

Coordinates

33.5269, -112.2953

Aircraft

Sport Plane Dynamics LIGHTNING

Registration

N121L

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Glendale → Glendale

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR10CA467

1 person had minor injuries.

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

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

Read the full NTSB 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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.