No fatalities

Light Sport Airplane Noses Over After Hard Landing (N109CT)

Hillsdale, MI, US

On August 10, 2006, a Flight Design CTSW (registration N109CT) was involved in an aviation accident near Hillsdale, MI. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's misjudged flare which resulted in the hard landing and his improper recovery from the bounced landing which resulted in the overload failure of the nose landing gear and subsequent nose over. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A light sport airplane was damaged during a hard landing. The pilot, the sole occupant, reported a bounce and subsequent nose gear failure, causing the aircraft to veer off the runway and nose over.

Event Details

A light sport airplane sustained damage during a hard landing. The pilot, who was the sole occupant at the time, had just completed an hour of dual instruction in the accident airplane prior to the incident.

Pilot's Account

The pilot stated that during the landing, the airplane touched down hard and bounced into the air. Upon the second touchdown, the nose landing gear bent, and the airplane veered off the left side of the runway. The bent nose landing gear became stuck in the grass, causing the airplane to nose over.

Aircraft Damage

The accident resulted in damage to the light sport airplane. The nose landing gear was bent, and the airplane nosed over after the gear became entangled in the grass alongside the runway.

Weather

According to the pilot, the wind was from 40 degrees right of the runway heading at 4 to 6 knots.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 10 Aug 2006 Flight Design CTSW accident near Hillsdale, MI?

A light sport airplane was damaged during a hard landing. The pilot, the sole occupant, reported a bounce and subsequent nose gear failure, causing the aircraft to veer off the runway and nose over.

Were there any fatalities in the 10 Aug 2006 Flight Design CTSW accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 10 Aug 2006 involved a Flight Design CTSW, registration N109CT, at Hillsdale, MI.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's misjudged flare which resulted in the hard landing and his improper recovery from the bounced landing which resulted in the overload failure of the nose landing gear and subsequent nose over. The overload failure of the nose landing gear was a factor.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20060913X01333. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.