Sunday, January 14, 2018

Aeropro Eurofox, N3945A: Accident occurred December 27, 2017 at Gravelly Valley Airport (1Q5), Upper Lake, California

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Sacramento, California

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

http://registry.faa.gov/N3945A

Location: Upper Lake, CA
Accident Number: GAA18CA096
Date & Time: 12/27/2017, 1530 PST
Registration: N3945A
Aircraft: AEROPRO CZ EUROFOX
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Aerodynamic stall/spin
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

Analysis

The pilot of the airplane reported that, during the approach to land, he applied full flaps, but "unfortunately, [he] added power too late and too slowly". Subsequently, "the bottom fell out" and the airplane aerodynamically stalled. The airplane landed hard, the left and right wing impacted the ground, and the airplane skidded to a stop.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. 

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during the approach to land, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

Findings

Aircraft
Angle of attack - Not attained/maintained (Cause)
Airspeed - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing
Aerodynamic stall/spin (Defining event)
Hard landing

Pilot Information

Certificate: Sport Pilot
Age: 67, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Unknown
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Sport Pilot None
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 10/21/2017
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 525 hours (Total, all aircraft), 440 hours (Total, this make and model), 525 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 26 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 6 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: AEROPRO CZ
Registration: N3945A
Model/Series: EUROFOX NO SERIES
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2005
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Special Light-Sport
Serial Number: 178 05
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 04/01/2017, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1235 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 756.6 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Rotax
ELT: C91  installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: ULS
Registered Owner:  DENISE LAVERDURE
Rated Power: 100 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KUKI, 626 ft msl
Observation Time: 2256 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 22 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 211°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Temperature/Dew Point: 17°C / 7°C
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: Calm
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 30.25 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: LINCOLN, CA (LHM)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Upper Lake, CA (1Q5)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1429 PST
Type of Airspace: Class G 

Airport Information

Airport: GRAVELLY VALLEY (1Q5)
Runway Surface Type: Gravel
Airport Elevation: 1900 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Holes; Rough; Soft; Vegetation
Runway Used: 01
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 4050 ft / 200 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Valley/Terrain Following 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude:  39.443056, -122.960278 (est)

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