Orlican L60
Frederick, MD — February 21, 2020
Event Information
| Date | February 21, 2020 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | ERA20CA107 |
| Event ID | 20200221X30928 |
| Location | Frederick, MD |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 39.41750, -77.37417 |
| Airport | Frederick Muni |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | Orlican |
| Model | L60 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 2 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Probable Cause
The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during the approach, which resulted in the airplane ballooning and then veering left upon landing and the right wing impacting the runway.
Full Narrative
The pilot reported that the airplane was in the process of being purchased from the previous owner, and the purpose of the flight was to practice landings as part of a check-out flight. During the second landing on runway 05, the airplane ballooned slightly during the flare, which the pilot attributed to a wind gust. After touchdown, the airplane began to veer left. He attempted to correct with full right rudder, right brake and left aileron, but he was unsuccessful. As the airplane came to a stop on the runway, the right main landing gear buckled, and the right wing struck the runway, which resulted in substantial damage. The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was calm; however, the pilot reported that after he egressed from the airplane, he observed that the windsock indicated a crosswind. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.