Amateur-built RV-8 N143MS accident near Oshkosh, Wisconsin

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate spacing from the lead airplane while landing following revised landing instructions, which necessitated that the pilot conduct an improper landing flare and resulted in a hard landing.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that he was the second airplane in a flight of two and had been instructed by the air traffic controller to land on the orange dot on the runway (dots were used to facilitate multiple landings for the fly-in). During the descending turn from the base leg to the final leg, the pilot saw a third airplane. The third airplane appeared to be landing straight-in to the same runway. The air traffic controller instructed the flight of two to land further down the runway, on the green dot, to accommodate the third airplane. As the pilot adjusted the engine power and descent rate for the new landing point, he noted that the closure rate with the lead airplane in his flight of two had increased and that the lead airplane decelerated quickly as it landed. The pilot increased the pitch to overfly and avoid a collision with the lead airplane. After he confirmed that he was past the lead airplane, he adjusted the pitch and engine power to land, but the airplane landed hard. During the landing, the airplane settled left wing down and veered left off the runway, and the left main landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN19CA227 for the full record.