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April 14, 1999 · Hoskins Craig Lightning BUG Lightning · N450CH

Crystal River, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 14, 1999
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Crystal River, FL
Aircraft
Hoskins Craig Lightning BUG Lightning
Tail Number
N450CH
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL99LA071

According to a witness, the airplane landed fast and hard on runway 9. Upon touchdown, the airplane bounced and stalled, colliding with the runway on the nose gear and one wing. The pilot stated that upon touchdown, the airplane ballooned up about 4 to 5 feet. To avoid damaging the nose gear, he elected to go-around. He applied full power and retracted the nose gear but did not retract the flaps. During the aborted landing the airplane drifted to the right. The right wing tip struck the ground and the airplane cartwheeled coming to rest inverted. Additionally, the pilot added that his assessment of the accident was that his 'focus on personal pilot proficiency was sub-standard.' And in retrospect, he should have spent more time doing approach stalls at high altitude and more touch and go landings.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane, which resulted in an inadvertent stall.

Full Narrative

On April 14, 1999, at 1100 eastern daylight time, a Hoskins Craig, homebuilt Lightning Bug airplane, N450CH, collided with the runway while landing at the Crystal River Airport in Crystal River, Florida. The airplane was operated by the private pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the accident site, and no flight plan was filed for the cross-country flight. The pilot received serious injuries and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane departed Enterprise, Alabama, at 0925. According to a witness, the airplane landed fast and hard on runway nine. Upon touchdown, the airplane bounced and stalled, colliding with the runway on the nose gear and one wing. The pilot stated that he was landing at the Crystal River Airport to refuel prior to flying to Lakeland, Florida, at about 1130. He said that his approach speed on short final was slightly high. Upon touchdown, the airplane ballooned up about four to five feet. To avoid damaging the nose gear, he elected to go-around. He applied full power and retracted the nose gear but did not retract the flaps. The airplane drifted to the right. The right wing tip struck the ground and the airplane cartwheeled coming to rest inverted. The pilot released his seatbelt and crawled clear of the aircraft. Additionally, the pilot added, that his assessment of the accident was that his "focus on personal pilot proficiency was sub-standard." And in retrospect, he should have spent more time doing approach stalls at high altitude and more touch and go landings.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:00 EDT
Nearest AirportCrystal River Airport (0nm N)
Runway9
Runway Length4297 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHoskins Craig Lightning BUG Lightning
Tail NumberN450CH
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsUnknown · AMW-808 · Reciprocating · 100
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 53 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data