Flight Design CTLS N21ZA accident near Elyria, Ohio

Probable cause

The pilot’s misjudged landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that, on the day of the accident, he had accomplished three landings in the accident airplane and that he was pleased with these landings. Forty-five minutes after the last day landing, he took off for a night flight. During the first attempted landing, he misjudged the flare, and the airplane bounced. He subsequently performed a go-around and again misjudged the landing flare. The airplane subsequently bounced hard on the runway, which resulted in a flat nosewheel tire and firewall and right main landing gear damage. Although examination of the right main landing gear leg revealed several manufacturing defects that have since been addressed by the landing gear leg manufacturer, the accident was likely caused by the pilot's misjudged landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing and the subsequent right main landing gear damage.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN12LA676 for the full record.