Is the LSA safe? Examining seven years of light sport accidents reveals many things can be improved but no smoking gun

  The aviation world rejoiced in the summer of 2004 when the FAA announced the long-awaited adoption of its light sport aircraft (LSA) rulemaking, and the sport pilot certificate. Small, simple aircraft manufactured to industry consensus standards instead of the agency's regulations should he vastly less expensive than traditional entry-levelaircraft. Pilots who self-certify medical fitness to fly on the basis    of their state's driver license requirements could avoid the expense    of an FAA medical certificate (the same pilot self-certification ofmedical fitness to fly applying to private and higher pilots still applies to sport pilots). Overall, the price barrier to personal aviation should fall away, causing a resurgence in new pilot starts and a renaissance in recreational and entry-level career track flying.

   [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]    Whether the sport pilot certificate and LSAs have achieved that goal any better than the very similar recreational pilot certificate and    airplane category fifteen years before is more appropriately addressed in something other than Aviation Safety magazine. In short, however, the intended target for sport pilot and LSAs (a new generation ofyoung pilots to revitalize general aviation) seems to have been replaced instead with older pilots nearing the end of their flying career,    stepping down to LSAs from traditional ones.    That being the case, at least one thing should be certain--since these new pilots have experience in more capable airplanes, the accident record in LSAs should be very good, and better than traditional training airplanes attracting newer pilots. After all, we know that training and experience in heavier, more complex airplanes makes you safe    to fly lighter, less complex types, right? Not so fast there, folks.    It turns out the light sport safety record doesn't reflect this fallacious bit of aviation conventional wisdom.    FOR THE RECORD    To learn about the light sport safety record and compare it to traditional light airplanes, I searched NTSB final reports for the years2005 through the end of 2011--basically the light sport era to date.For purposes of this comparison, I discarded weight-shift machines, LSA balloons and gliders, focusing on the traditionally-controlled, i.e., control stick or yoke, and wing-and tail-mounted control surfaceaircraft. (The FAA does not consider LSAs to be "airplanes" because they do not meet a Federal standard for that category. Instead, LSAs are aircraft.)    The rules permit operating some FAA-certificated airplanes by a sport pilot. These so-called "legacy" LSAs--some models of Piper Cubs, Aeronca Champs, Taylorcraft and Ercoupes, but not all--may be operated    by a sport pilot if the airplane has never been certified to a maximum gross weight greater than 1320 pounds, the non-amphibious LSA upper limit. In my review of NTSB reports, I discarded cases where a sport pilot was illegally operating an airplane not meeting the LSA restrictions.    The result was a record of 106 reports in the study period involving LSAs that were severe enough to warrant an NTSB investigation (serious or fatal injury and/or substantial damage or the aircraft destroyed). Of those 106 reports:    * Forty-three events, or 40.6 percent of the total, caused seriousinjury or death (the difference between serious injury and death in an aircraft accident is largely a matter of circumstances ... and luck).    * One hundred reports, 94.3 percent of the total, caused substantial aircraft damage or destroyed the aircraft (not surprising, since this is a threshold criterion for NTSB reporting. Mishaps that seriously injury or kill an occupant extremely rarely cause only minor aircraft damage).    On to the meat of our investigation: what actually causes LSAs to crash, and what might we do about it?    PROBABLE CAUSES    The NTSB-identified probable cause for reported LSA accidents breaks down thusly:    Loss of control (LOC): Loss of aircraft control is by far the largest single cause of LSA accidents. Some 30.2 percent of all NTSB-reported LSA mishaps result from the pilot's loss of control of the aircraft. Perhaps as expected, the greatest number of LOC events occur on landing, usually with a crosswind--11.3 percent of all such accidents.    Losing control on takeoff accounts for 8.5 percent of the total, while a very small percentage (1.9 percent and 0.9 percent, respectively) are attributed to LOC in maneuvering flight and attempted VFR intoIMC (the one VFR-into-IMC event with an LSA took place at night, a sport pilot no-no).    Significantly (at least I think so), 7.5 percent of all LSA crashes    occurred when the pilot lost control after a canopy came open in flight, usually during or right after takeoff. I counted these as a separate category of LOC, included in the 30.2 percent total but not anyof the other LOC categories. In only one case did the NTSB cite manufacturer's statements that drag from the open canopy would seriously impair aircraft performance. Instead, these events cite pilot distraction as the proximate cause after an LSA's canopy came open in flight... and blame lack of pilot familiarity with the latching mechanism as the main instigator. Just think: a 10-second briefing on how to properly secure and check the cockpit canopy could eliminate nearly one-tenth of all LSA accidents!    Stalls and spins: Aerodynamic stalls that sometimes develop into spins are cited in 16.0 percent of all LSA mishaps studied. We usuallythink of stalls in the turn from base to final as the most common scenario, but at least in light sport aircraft, more stalls occur on takeoff (6.6 percent of all reports) than on landing (4.7 percent). Moreover, the same number of stalls occurred during maneuvering flight away from the traffic pattern as did in the landing circuit.    Stall and spin awareness is an area of emphasis in the recent update of the FAA's private pilot practical test standards. It appears there's good reason even for experienced pilots stepping "down" to LSAsto refresh their knowledge of angle of attack, stall avoidance and recognition.    Mechanical failure: Identified, non-engine, pre-impact mechanical failure is just behind stalls in terms of LSA accident frequency, noted in 15.1 percent of all NTSB reports. The specific in-flight failures cited are:    * Failure of preexisting cracks in the nose gear fork, not addressed in a recent inspection.    * Flight-control system failure: bent/broken control pushrods or cables.    * Failure of landing gear bolts.    * Engine oil line failure (improper maintenance).    * Overstress and failure of a main wheel.    * Propeller gearbox failure leading to propeller separation in flight, which cut off the aircraft's tail resulting in loss of control.    * Electrical fire due to fuse failure.    * Failure of ballistic parachute to separate after activation during preproduction flight tests.    * Failure of ballistic parachute to deploy when activated during preproduction spin testing, resulting in the pilot bailing out with a personal parachute.    * Fuel siphoning due to the improper design of the fuel filler port, resulting in fuel exhaustion in flight.    * In-flight separation of the wing.    * In-flight structural failure of the horizontal stabilizer leading    to stresses that caused wing separation.    * Trim system failure resulting in loss of control on takeoff.    * Landing gear strut failure.    * Bending of engine throttle control mechanism, resulting in partial power loss.    Engine failure: Engine failure not resulting from known fuel management issues on the part of the pilot is next, comprising 14.2 percent    of the NTSB record of light sport probable causes. Add the fuel management events (4.7 percent of the total), as is usually the case in reported engine failures, and the total engine failure rate is 16.9 percent. Put the non-fuel-management engine failure reports together with other mechanical failures and mechanical failures represent 29.3 percent of all LSA events in the NTSB database.    Hard landing, landing short: Technique-related crashes in the landing phase not identified as involving stalls resulted in 9.4 percent of LSA accidents events, weighted heavily toward hard landings.    Miscellaneous: The remaining NTSB events were the result of:    * Collision with object immediately after takeoff;    * Collision with objects on the ground;    * Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT).    FATALS    If we look only at those NTSB reports involving an LSA and seriousinjury or death, this is how the probable causes break down:    Stalls and spins: Some 30.2 percent of the total resulted from stalls and spins. Of the total ...    * 14.0 percent of all fatal LSA crashes were a stall on initial climb following takeoff.    * 11.6 percent of all reports involved a stall while maneuvering away from the traffic pattern.    * 4.7 percent of all fatal LSA accidents involved the perceived "usual" stall/spin on landing.    Loss of control (LOC): This category accounted for 25.6 percent offatal LSA accidents:    * 9.3 percent of all fatal LSA crashes followed an unlatched canopy    in flight;    * 7.0 percent were loss of control on landing;    * 4.7 percent of all fatal LSA events involved LOC while maneuvering away from the traffic pattern;    * 2.3 percent of all fatal LSA crashes resulted from loss of control during takeoff.    Engine failure: Mechanical failure of an LSA's engine contributed to 16.3 percent of all fatal reports. Another 4.7 percent resulted from improper fuel system management by the pilot.    Mechanical failure: Some 11.6 percent of all fatal LSA accidents resulted from identified pre-impact mechanical failures. Combining thenon-fuel engine failures and the mechanical failure events, then, means that 27.9 percent of all fatal light sport crashes were the result    of aircraft mechanical issues.    Miscellaneous: The remaining causes of fatal light sport accidentswere:    * Collision with object immediately after takeoff;    * Controlled flight into terrain (CFIT);    * Attempted visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions    (IMC) at night.    FLYING LIGHT SPORT, SAFELY    The larger majority of Light Sport accidents, however, still result    from the things that get pilots in more traditional airplanes: lossof control and stalls. To fly Light Sport airplanes safely, all pilots (regardless of experience) need to consider these points:    * A thorough checkout in the specific type of airplane is vital. Include things like proper closing, securing and verifying of the cockpit canopy ... a major contributor to light sport mishaps.    * During your checkout and regularly thereafter, practice stall recognition and recovery. Include power-on and accelerated stalls; history shows we do a fairly good job of avoiding approach-to-landing stalls, perhaps because that's what most pilots (and instructors) train in and for most. Takeoff/departure, power-on stalls, on the other hand, are a frequent killer in LSAs.    * Remember that wing loading and power loading make a very real difference in airplane handling. "Smaller" and "less complex" do not necessarily mean "easier to fly." No one should ever just jump in and fly an unfamiliar aircraft, let alone one with vastly different handling characteristics from those with which they are familiar.    * Light sport airplanes appear simple, with very little that can go    wrong mechanically. But history proves otherwise. Get some knowledgeable instruction on how to inspect the specific type of aircraft you'll fly, and take time for a very thorough preflight inspection and before takeoff systems check on every flight. Take the aircraft back to    the ramp for a mechanic's check if anything seems the least bit unusual.    Respect the aircraft. As someone once said about the Piper Cub, LSAs can "just barely kill you." Treat LSAs like the aircraft they really are, and you should enjoy a long, happy career in these fun and capable machines.    RELATED ARTICLE: What's An LSA, Anyway?    A "light sport aircraft" is defined by the FAA in FAR 1.1 and encompasses newly manufactured aircraft we might think of as conventionalairplanes as well as powered parachutes, weight-shift control aircraft, balloons, airships, gliders and gyroplanes. Here's the FAA's definition:    ... an aircraft, other than a helicopter or powered-lift that, since its original certification, has continued to meet the following:    * A maximum takeoff weight of not more than--    (i) 1320 pounds (600 kilograms) for aircraft not intended for operation on water; or    (ii) 1430 pounds (650 kilograms) for an aircraft intended for operation on water.    * A maximum airspeed in level flight with maximum continuous power([V.sub.H]) of not more than 120 knots CAS under standard atmospheric    conditions at sea level    * A maximum never-exceed speed ([V.sub.NE]) of not more than 120 knots CAS for a gilder.    * A maximum stalling speed or minimum steady flight speed without the use of lift-enhancing devices ([V.sub.S1]) of not more than 45 knots CAS at the aircraft's maximum certificated takeoff weight and most    critical center of gravity    * A maximum seating capacity of no more than two persons, including    the pilot.    * A single, reciprocating engine, if powered.    * A fixed or ground-adjustable propeller if a powered aircraft other than a powered glider.    * A foxed or feathering propeller system if a powered glider.    * A fixed-pitch, semi-rigid, teetering, two-blade rotor system, ifa gyroplane    * A nonpressurized cabin, if equipped with a cabin.    * Fixed landing gear, except for an aircraft intended for operation    on water or a glider.    * Fixed or retractable landing gear, or a hull, for an aircraft intended for operation on water.    * Fixed or retractable landing gear for a glider.    Further, a light sport aircraft can be broken down into four categories, depending on how and by whom it was manufactured:    * Special Light Sport Aircraft (S-LSA): A factory-built, ready-to-fly aricraft designed and constructed according to the consensus standards for LSAs.    * Experimental Light Sport Aircraft (E-LSA): A kit-built aircraft not conforming to amateur-built certification requirements and based on one that has received a SLSA airworthiness certificate.    * Experimental Amateur-Built Aircraft (E-AB): A "conventional" experimental afrcraft meeting the FAA's definition of an LSA.    * Standard-Category LSA: An aircraft for which an FAA type certificate exists and which meets the agency's definition of an LSA.    RELATED ARTICLE: Charts And Graphs    The pie charts at right summarize and organize the data extracted from the NTSB's database involving light sport aircraft accidents from    the beginning of 2005 through the end of 2011. The top chart presents data for all accidents involving LSAs during the period, while theone at bottom involves only accidents resulting in a fatality or serious injury.    One thing these data do not so is tell us anything about sport pilot training or how well a private pilot or better performs in an LSA.It also doesn't tell us anything about how so-called legacy LSAs fare    when compared to S-LSA or E-LSA types (see the sidebar on the previous page for definitions of these LSA types).    These data also don't tell us anything about how LSAs compare to certified aircraft. So ... how does the light sport record compare to traditional general aviation airplanes?    To answer that question, we looked at each AOPA Air Safety Institute Nall Report for the years 2005-2010 (the 2010 Nall Report is the most recent available). The AOPA/ASI Nall Report analyzes general aviation accident rates, allowing us to compare the LSA record to that ofthe general population of fixed-wing airplanes. The table below summarizes both the NTSB-derived LSA accident causes and the data found in    recent Nall Reports. From these data summaries, it appears clear that the light sport aircraft fleet has a significantly higher rate of mechanical failures when compared to certified aircraft.    The sidebar on the opposite page discusses how the FAA is reactingto such findings and what the future of LSAs may hold.  Light Sport Aircraft Accidents, 2005-2011    All Accidents    Loss of control      (30.2%)  Stall/spin           (16.0%)  Mechanical           (15.1%)  Engine failure       (14.2%)  Landing               (9.4%)  Miscellaneous/other  (15.1%)    Source: NTSB    Note: Table made from pie chart.    Light Sport Aircraft Accidents, 2005-2011    Fatal And/Or Serious Injuries    Stall/spin           (30.2%)  Loss of control      (25.6%)  Engine failure       (16.3%)  Mechanical           (11.6%)  Miscellaneous/other  (16.3%)    Source: NTSB    Note: Table made from pie chart.    Aircraft Certification  Mechanical Causes  Pilot-Related Or Unknown  Basis    LSA                                 23.9%                     76.1%    CAR 3/FAR 23                        16.0%                     84.0%    RELATED ARTICLE: MECHANICAL CAUSES DRAW SCRUTINY    The higher-than-usual rate of mechanical causes in both fatal light    sport accidents and LSA accidents overall may be why the FAA recently announced it is taking another look at the airworthiness standardsof light sport aircraft. The announcement came in a June 28, 2012, statement in the Federal Register in which the FAA issues a notice of policy and request for comment.    [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]    In its statement, the FAA noted, "Based upon its assessment of thespecial light-sport aircraft (SLSA) manufacturing industry, the FAA is issuing this notice of policy to inform the public of its policy for assessing the accuracy of declarations made in Statements of Compliance issued for aircraft intended for airworthiness certification asSLSA and to ensure that SLSA conform to identified consensus standards. Additionally, in response to findings noted in its assessment of the SLSA manufacturing industry, the FAA is reiterating its policy regarding the airworthiness certification of SLSA manufactured outside the United States."    To provide a quicker, less expensive means of approving light sport    airworthiness and promote the goal of revitalizing general aviationby reducing the cost of flying, the FAA permitted industry to develop    its own consensus standards for safety and quality control, insteadof imposing traditional, more stringent rules as found in FAR 23. Asrecently reported in our online sister publication AVweh. However:    Some of the FAA's concern may be more with the paperwork and ongoing engineering monitoring of the LSA fleet. Whatever the cause, however, the fact that almost one-third of light sport accidents result from identifiable mechanical issues either with the airframe or the engine can only heighten the attention FAA pays to manufacturer compliance with the consensus standard.    An FAA assessment of SLSA manufacturers has found that "the majority" of manufacturers evaluated failed to prove compliance with the category's standards, and that could affect the certification status ofsome aircraft. The FAA announced that "aircraft within the existing fleets" of manufacturers not able to issue a valid Statement of Compliance "may no longer be eligible to retain their airworthiness certification as SLSA." The FAA also noted that a specific range of aircraft    (not insignificant in number) may find even less favor from the current regulatory structure. The FAA "has determined that its original policy of reliance on manufacturers' Statements of Compliance" ... "should be reconsidered."    Tom Turner is a CFII-MEI who frequently writes and lectures on aviation safety.  

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