Amateur-built RV-8 N888GK accident near Yadkinville, North Carolina

Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate flare, which resulted in a hard landing.

NTSB analysis

According to the pilot, he was conducting touch-and-go practice takeoff and landings at his home airport. During approach for the first landing, he noted that the flight controls felt less responsive than normal and that the airplane was in a nose-high configuration. The airplane approached the runway at a high descent rate and touched down hard in a level attitude. A postaccident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the right wing spar. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane and noted that he should have increased the engine power during the landing approach.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA10CA452 for the full record.