Accident Details
On August 4, 2011, at about 1830 central daylight time, an Aerosport Ikarus C42E, registration N577JP, experienced a hard landing and subsequent runway excursion at the East Troy Municipal Airport in East Troy, Wisconsin. The airplane was landing on runway 8 when it went off the left side and struck a ditch, resulting in substantial damage. The aircraft was operated as an instructional flight under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, with visual flight rules (VFR) conditions prevailing. The local flight had originated about 1750 and was not operating on a flight plan.
Pilot Reports
The certificated flight instructor reported that the student pilot executed a hard landing, causing the airplane to bounce and become airborne again. The student then reached for the door, and the airplane yawed off the left side of the runway before impacting a ditch. The instructor noted no mechanical malfunctions.
The student pilot, for whom the accident landing was the fourth landing of the flight, stated that after a hard landing and bounce, he added power. Simultaneously, his door came open. Initially ignoring the door, he later felt it caused a left yaw. When he tried to close the door, the airplane departed the runway. The student listed "unknown" regarding any mechanical malfunctions.
Aircraft Examination
Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed propeller damage, separated left main landing gear, collapsed nose landing gear, a fractured main keel tube in the fuselage, and a bent fuselage. No preimpact anomalies were identified.
Probable Cause
The official source does not specify a probable cause for this accident.