FLIGHT DESIGN GMBH CTSW

Full Narrative

On September 24, 2008, about 1900 eastern daylight time, a Flight Design GmbH CTSW light sport airplane, N63DH, piloted by a student pilot, was substantially damaged during landing on runway 10 (5,000 feet by 100 feet, asphalt) at the Delaware Municipal Airport (DLZ), Delaware, Ohio. The solo instructional flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The student pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The local flight departed DLZ about 1845.

The student pilot reported that after touchdown on the second landing of the solo flight, the airplane began to drift from side to side. He attempted to regain directional control; however, as the airplane drifted toward the left, the right wing tip contacted the ground. The airplane subsequently departed the pavement and nosed down in the grass adjacent to the runway.

The student's flight instructor reported that he witnessed the accident. He noted that the second landing appeared to be smooth. However, shortly after touchdown the airplane drifted to the left. The pilot appeared to recover, but then the nose began to oscillate from side to side. The oscillations subsequently became larger. He heard the engine pitch increase and saw the airplane accelerate. The airplane subsequently departed the runway pavement and rolled to the left. The left wing tip appeared to touch the ground. He recalled that the engine pitch increased again to what sounded like full power. The airplane yawed left and the right main landing gear appeared to dig into the ground, causing the right wing tip to strike the ground. The nose landing gear subsequently collapsed, and the airplane came to rest nose down in the grass. The student pilot exited the airplane under his own power.