No fatalities

2 Mar 2011: Arion Aircraft LLC Lightning LS-1 — Brownsville, TX

Brownsville, TX, United States
SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot experienced a loss of control during final approach, resulting in a hard landing and structural damage to the aircraft.

What happened

On March 2, 2011, an Arion Aircraft LLC Lightning, registration N125GD, was on final approach in Brownsville, Texas. During the approach, the pilot allowed the aircraft's airspeed to decrease. This decay in speed led to a loss of control and a hard landing. There were no injuries resulting from the event.

The impact caused significant damage to the aircraft, specifically affecting both ailerons, the landing gear, and both wing spars. Weather conditions at the time were Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) with a visibility of 10 statute miles and winds from 000 degrees at 4 knots.

Probable cause

The pilot failed to maintain sufficient airspeed during the final approach, which caused a loss of control and a hard landing.

Contributing factors

Airspeed — Not attained/maintainedPerformance/control parameters — Not attained/maintainedPilot