Monday the 17th of August, 2026

NTSB Final Report: Paul D Cannon Kitfox Light Squared

(Pilot) Failed To Properly Flare The Airplane Resulting In A Hard Landing

Location: Lincoln, California Accident Number: WPR26LA143
Date & Time: March 27, 2026, 09:22 Local Registration: N11446
Aircraft: Paul D Cannon Kitfox Light Squared Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Hard landing Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis: The pilot/owner of the amateur-built airplane reported that, while performing touch-and-go landings, he failed to properly flare the airplane resulting in a hard landing. The landing loads exceeded the strength of the main landing gear attachment, which resulted in a separation of the main landing gear. The airplane subsequently departed the left side of the runway and struck the visual approach slope indicator lights, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing strut.

The pilot/owner’s postaccident examination revealed that the aftermarket landing gear installation had been improperly installed. The attachment bolts had been overtorqued which preloaded and overstressed the hardware, reducing the load-carrying capability. The stripped attachment bolts allowed the clamping brackets to separate under load.

The hard landing exceeded the reduced capacity of the landing gear attachment, resulting in a separation of the landing gear and a subsequent runway excursion.

Probable Cause and Findings: The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be -- The pilot's failure to properly flare the airplane during landing, which resulted in a hard landing and separation of the main landing gear. Contributing to the accident was the improper installation and over torquing of the landing gear attachment hardware, which reduced the load-carrying capacity of the landing gear clamping brackets.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov

 

 

NTSB Final Report: Cub Crafters Inc CC18-180

The Pilot's Excessive Approach Speed, Which Resulted In A Hard, Bounced Landing And Noseover

Location: Littlefield, Texas Accident Number: CEN26LA195
Date & Time: May 22, 2026, 11:15 Local Registration: N472AK
Aircraft: Cub Crafters Inc CC18-180 Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Nose over/nose down Injuries: 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Glider tow

Analysis: The pilot reported that he had been conducting glider tow operations and the gliders were landing back to the same airport that he had departed from. After releasing a glider, he flew west of the airport to survey the landing area due to the high volume of activity on the ground at the airport. He determined that he would land to a grassy area adjacent to the runway. The pilot maneuvered the airplane for a short base-to-final approach and noted that his approach speed was approximately 5 to 10 mph faster than normal with full flaps extended. He touched down “fairly firm” in a tail-low wheel landing attitude. After the tailwheel contacted the ground, he applied full aft elevator and braking. The landing area was rougher than anticipated, which caused the airplane to bounce and become airborne. When the main landing gear settled back onto the ground, the tail rose rapidly. The pilot released the brakes and applied full aft elevator; however, the airplane continued to pitch forward and nosed over, coming to rest inverted. The fuselage, left wing, vertical stabilizer, and rudder sustained substantial damage.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He further reported that he should have remained clear of the traffic pattern until the distractions in the landing area were clear, and he also felt he rushed the approach while conducting his traffic pattern maneuvers.

Probable Cause and Findings: The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be -- The pilot's excessive approach speed, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing and noseover.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov

 

 

NTSB Says Fan Blade Broke Off From Engine Shattering Ryanair Cabin Window

Preliminary Report Cites Broken Fan Blade And Bird Remains Inside Engine

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) preliminary report says an engine suffered a fan blade separation on a Malta Air Boeing 737-8AS, doing business as Ryanair flight 1879, and sent parts flying that shattered a plane window shortly after takeoff in Greece last month.

The NTSB also said it found bird remains inside the engine, suggesting the plane may have struck birds as it took off.

The fan blade shattering the window caused a man’s head to be sucked into the hole in the fuselage before his fellow passengers pulled him to safety.

The parts that flew out of the engine shattered the window and also damaged the fuselage in several other places, the NTSB said in its report.

According to the flight crew, while climbing through an altitude of about 16,000 feet, near Polykastro, Greece, (about 4.5 nm south of the Greek border with Northern Macedonia) they received a No. 2 engine HIGH VIBRATION indication. They reduced the engine power and initiated the Engine High Vibration non-normal checklist. Shortly after, the engine vibration indication was reduced. The crew subsequently continued the climb on autopilot. The engine vibrations then increased significantly, they heard a loud bang, and the autopilot was disengaged. While assessing the engine condition, the cabin altitude warning sounded.

The flight crew donned their oxygen masks, declared an emergency, and began an immediate descent.

The 61-year-old man who was nearly sucked out of the plane suffered neck and shoulder injuries and friction burns before his fellow passenger pulled him back inside.

Bird remains, including feathers, were recovered from the forward face of integrated drive generator oil cooler, one of the thrust reverser blocker door drag links, and the lower (6 o’clock position) of the engine fan case near the thrust reverser split flange.

Maintenance records show that the fan blades on the right engine that failed had undergone ultrasonic inspections in May 2026 and November 2025 without finding damage. But the NTSB said that four suspected bird strikes to the same engine had been reported by the flight crews over the past year. Bird remains were found after two of those suspected strikes.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov