Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate flare which resulted in a loss of aircraft control during landing.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that on landing the airplane touched down hard and began to porpoise, striking the runway twice during the accident sequence. The pilot reported a loss of nose wheel and rudder control responsiveness and was unable to maintain directional control when the airplane departed the runway to the right, traveled down an embankment and subsequently rolled over, coming to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to right wing, vertical stabilizer and fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR14CA364 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 3, 2014
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Grass Valley, California
- Nearest airport
- Nevada County Air Park (GOO)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Flight Design Gmbh CTLS LSA
- N-number
- N245LS
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2008
- 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.