Probable cause
The pilot's decision to continue the landing from an unstabilized approach which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent hard landing.
NTSB analysis
The pilot was flying the airplane from the right seat which he was not experienced in doing. He reported the approach was unstabilized, but he continued the landing resulting in a loss of control and subsequent hard landing. In addition, the pilot did not have access to the pitch trim control which was located on the left seat yoke which most likely contributed to the unstabilized approach.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN16CA258 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 6, 2016
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Ephraim, Wisconsin
- Nearest airport
- Ephraim-Gibraltar (3D2)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built RANS S-19
- N-number
- N39KB
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2012
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.