No fatalities

18 Apr 2015: FLIGHT DESIGN GMBH CTSW NO SERIES — Paul G Laurienzo — Newport, RI

Newport, RI, United States

On 18 Apr 2015, a FLIGHT DESIGN GMBH CTSW NO SERIES operated by Paul G Laurienzo was involved in an aviation accident near Newport, RI. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: A left crosswind gust during the landing roll resulted in a ground loop, as stated by the pilot. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot reported that during a landing roll, the left wing rose suddenly, causing the aircraft to turn left, depart the runway, and flip over, sustaining substantial damage to both wings and empennage.

Incident Summary

Approximately 700 feet into the landing roll, the pilot experienced a sudden upward movement of the left wing, followed by an uncommanded left turn. The aircraft subsequently departed the left side of the runway, flipped over, and came to rest inverted. The landing roll occurred on a runway, though specific runway designations or airport identifiers were not provided.

Pilot Report

The pilot attributed the event to a gust of left crosswind that he believed was present during the landing roll. This gust resulted in a ground loop, which led to the loss of directional control and the subsequent overturn. The pilot clarified that there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. He further stated that the aircraft was performing as expected prior to the incident.

Aircraft Damage

The accident caused substantial damage to multiple components of the aircraft. Specifically, the left wing, right wing, and empennage sustained significant structural damage. No other damage was reported. The extent of damage necessitated a formal investigation, though no further details regarding repair costs or airworthiness status were disclosed.

Conclusion

The pilot's account indicates that meteorological conditions, namely a left crosswind gust, were the primary factor leading to the ground loop and subsequent damage. No mechanical anomalies were identified that could have contributed to the event. The incident underscores the challenges of crosswind landings, though no specific recommendations or lessons are provided in the source material.

Probable cause

A left crosswind gust during the landing roll resulted in a ground loop, as stated by the pilot.

Contributing factors

Causes

PilotDirectional control — Not attained/maintained

Other contributing factors

Effect on operation