Amateur-built WITTMAN TAILWIND W10 N717AB accident near Waldron, Arkansas

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the landing resulting in an inadvertent aerodynamic stall and hard landing.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that he was conducting his first flight in the airplane and practiced some basic stall maneuvers at altitude before attempting to land. During the first attempted landing, the airplane landed hard from about 2 ft above ground level (agl), and the pilot performed a go-around. During the second landing, about 8 ft agl, he reduced engine power and [the airplane] “bottomed out.” He stated the airplane bounced uncontrollably, nosed over, bounced again, spun to the right and flipped over, coming to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operations. The pilot’s statement included a recommendation to acquire transition training in a “new to you” airplane.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN23LA007 for the full record.