North Wing Uum Inc SPORT X2-N N366DN accident near Pahrump, Nevada

Probable cause

The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a fractured engine mount sway bar and subsequent difficulty controlling the airplane, and his inadvertent application of throttle pedal during landing, which resulted in a loss of control.

NTSB analysis

The sport pilot of the weight-shift control airplane reported that, during landing, the airplane touched down hard, fracturing the engine mount sway bars; the airplane subsequently bounced back into the air. In an attempt to prevent a stall, the pilot elected to go around. As he gained altitude, he realized that the airplane was difficult to control.

A witness reported that the airplane made four subsequent landing attempts without touching down. On the fifth approach, the airplane appeared to land hard, bounce, and touch down again before departing the runway. The pilot reported that, upon touchdown, he felt the airplane suddenly accelerate before it began to cartwheel and departed the left side of the runway where it came to rest inverted.

Postaccident examination revealed no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The engine throttle was controlled via a foot pedal, and it is likely that the pilot inadvertently depressed the pedal during the landing sequence, which resulted in the acceleration he experienced after touchdown and contributed to the loss of control.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC18LA033 for the full record.