March 10, 2007, Albuquerque, N.Mex., Flight Design USA CT-SW

At 1558 Mountain time, the light sport aircraft was substantially damaged when its right main landing gear separated during an aborted landing. The airplane subsequently impacted on the runway, departed off the side and nosed over. The two flight instructors on board sustained minor injuries; visual conditions prevailed and winds were calm.

Wednesday, April 18, 2007 at 12:00 AM ET

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Key Takeaways:

A light sport aircraft sustained substantial damage and nosed over during an aborted landing attempt, resulting in minor injuries to the two flight instructors.
The incident occurred when the aircraft ballooned during flare, prompting a go-around, but it then settled unexpectedly onto the runway.
Upon touchdown during the go-around, the left main landing gear separated, causing the aircraft to slide for 300 feet, depart the runway, and flip over.
The aircraft had very low airframe time, approximately 25 hours, at the time of the incident.

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One of the instructors later said, as they started to flare during a landing, the airplane ballooned. They elected to perform a go-around. As power was advanced, the airplane settled, touching down on the left main landing gear, which subsequently broke aft. The airplane came down on the runway and slid for 300 feet, departing the left side and flipping over onto its back.

An examination of the airplane showed crush damage to the composite wings, fuselage, vertical stabilizer and rudder. The airplanes nose gear and right main landing gear were broken aft.

An initial examination of the left main landing gear showed a separation at the main gear lower attach point behind the rear reinforcement. Total airframe time was approximately 25 hours.