NTSB Factual Report

On February 25, 2001, at 1730 central standard time, a Bartels Rans S-7 amateur-built airplane, N777SB, was substantially damaged during a hard landing on a private grass airstrip near Lafayette, Louisiana. The private pilot, who was the registered owner of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated from the Abbeville Chris Crusta Memorial Airport, Abbeville, Louisiana, at 1700.

The pilot reported that he was practicing soft and short field landings at the private grass airstrip, which is located 5 miles northeast of Abbeville. He completed 15 landings to runway 09 and configured the airplane for a simulated engine failure and a short field landing. He stated that during the landing flare, the airplane "hit hard," and the right main landing gear failed. Subsequently, the airplane traveled 36 feet and came to rest inverted.

According to the FAA inspector, who examined the airplane at the airstrip, the right main landing gear separated from the airframe and the fuselage was buckled. The left wing-tip and wing strut were structurally damaged. He added that two blades of the three-bladed propeller separated.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's improper flare which resulted in a hard landing.