Amateur-built ZENITH ZODIAC 650B N452VC accident near Colorado Springs, Colorado

Probable cause

The pilot’s improper flare which resulted in a hard landing and their subsequent loss control of during a go-around. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s inadequate remedial action.

NTSB analysis

The flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction were conducting touch-and-go takeoffs and landings in the airport traffic pattern to familiarize the pilot with a recently purchased airplane. The flight instructor reported that, on the final landing, the pilot pitched the nose of the airplane up too aggressively for the flare. As a result of the high nose up attitude the airplane stalled, landed hard, and bounced back into the air. The pilot applied full engine power; however, the airplane remained in a nose up attitude, yawed to right, and bounced a second time. Subsequently, the airplane exited the runway surface and the right wing collided with an airport sign, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing.

According to the flight instructor, after the second bounced landing, he directed the pilot to reduce the throttle to idle. The flight instructor added that on his side of the airplane he did not have access to the throttle or brakes, only shared access to the center control stick.

The pilot receiving instruction reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR26LA243 for the full record.