Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the landing flare which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and collision with the ground.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that about 15 ft above the ground, during the landing flare, the airspeed decreased, and the left wing dropped. The pilot applied full throttle control to recover from the stall, however the airplane continued to descend and touched down on the left land gear which collapsed. The airplane spun around substantially damaging the left aileron and lower rudder. The pilot and passenger were not injured. 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 WPR21LA006 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Oct 4, 2020
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Firth, Idaho
- Nearest airport
- Pvt (NONE)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Dusk
Amateur-built XLS
- N-number
- N7143A
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2015
- 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.