Saturday, March 30, 2019

Loss of Control in Flight: North Wing Sport X2-N, N366DN, accident occurred April 25, 2018 in Pahrump, Nye County, Nevada and Accident occurred April 30, 2017 in Boulder City, Nevada

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Las Vegas, Nevada

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


Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms
 
Aviation Accident Data Summary - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf


http://registry.faa.gov/N366DN


Location: Pahrump, NV
Accident Number: ANC18LA033
Date & Time: 04/25/2018, 1015 PDT
Registration: N366DN
Aircraft: NORTH WING UUM INC SPORT X2-N
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight
Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under:  Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

Analysis 

The sport pilot of the weight-shift control airplane reported that, during landing, the airplane touched down hard, fracturing the engine mount sway bars; the airplane subsequently bounced back into the air. In an attempt to prevent a stall, the pilot elected to go around. As he gained altitude, he realized that the airplane was difficult to control.

A witness reported that the airplane made four subsequent landing attempts without touching down. On the fifth approach, the airplane appeared to land hard, bounce, and touch down again before departing the runway. The pilot reported that, upon touchdown, he felt the airplane suddenly accelerate before it began to cartwheel and departed the left side of the runway where it came to rest inverted.

Postaccident examination revealed no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The engine throttle was controlled via a foot pedal, and it is likely that the pilot inadvertently depressed the pedal during the landing sequence, which resulted in the acceleration he experienced after touchdown and contributed to the loss of control.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a fractured engine mount sway bar and subsequent difficulty controlling the airplane, and his inadvertent application of throttle pedal during landing, which resulted in a loss of control.

Findings

Aircraft
Descent/approach/glide path - Not attained/maintained (Cause)
Landing flare - Not attained/maintained (Cause)
Directional control - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues
Incorrect action performance - Pilot (Cause)

Factual Information

On April 25, 2018, about 1015 Pacific daylight time, a North Wing UUM Inc Sport X2-N, weight-shift control, special light sport airplane, N366DN, sustained substantial damage following a loss of control during landing at Calvada Meadows Airport (K74P), Pahrump, Nevada. The airplane was registered to a private individual and operated by the pilot as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 visual flight rules flight when the accident occurred. The sport pilot sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight departed K74P for a local flight in the traffic pattern.

According to a witness, during a previous landing attempt, the airplane descended toward the runway at a steep angle and failed to flare prior to touching down hard. Following the ground contact, he heard the engine advance and the airplane went around while attempting to gain control of the airplane. The pilot then made four subsequent approaches to the runway, without touching down. On the fifth approach, the airplane appeared to overshoot the runway and then landed hard, bouncing about 30-50ft before touching down again and departing the left side of the runway, coming to rest inverted.

The pilot stated on NTSB Accident/Incident Reporting Form 6120.1, that on the landing attempt immediately preceding the accident, he hit hard on the runway and became airborne again. He increased the throttle to gain altitude to go around and re-attempt the landing. As he gained altitude, he realized the airplane was difficult to control and when he made a left turn to enter a downwind leg of the traffic pattern "the aircraft went into a violent left turn."

After several more landing attempts, the pilot was getting physically fatigued from fighting to maintain control and decided to make a full-stop landing. After touching down on the runway, he felt the airplane accelerate before it began to cartwheel and departed the left side of the runway.

The airplane was designed in such a way that the throttle is controlled by the pilot through the use of a foot pedal.

A post-accident examination by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors, revealed substantial damage to the wing and a broken engine mount sway bar. Upon further examination it was discovered that the brakes had been removed and the brake lines were capped. No mechanical malfunction or anomaly was discovered that could have led to the sudden acceleration reported by the pilot.

The closest official weather observation station to the accident site was McCarran International Airport (KLAS), Las Vegas, Nevada. At 0956, a METAR was reporting, in part, wind 070° at 5 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; few clouds at 25,000ft; temperature 79° F; dew point 25° F; and altimeter 30.07 inches of mercury. 

History of Flight

Landing
Hard landing

Landing-landing roll
Loss of control on ground (Defining event)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Sport Pilot
Age: 61, Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Single
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Lap Only
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Sport Pilot
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 04/24/2018
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 30 hours (Total, all aircraft), 30 hours (Total, this make and model), 14 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 2 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 2 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 2 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: NORTH WING UUM INC
Registration: N366DN
Model/Series: SPORT X2-N NO SERIES
Aircraft Category: Weight-Shift
Year of Manufacture: 2008
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Special Light-Sport
Serial Number: LS7003
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 01/27/2018, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1060 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 13 Hours
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 685 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Rotax
ELT: Not installed
Engine Model/Series: 582
Registered Owner: FITZGERALD MARTIN L
Rated Power: 65 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: KLAS, 2180 ft msl
Observation Time: 1656 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 42 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 106°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 25000 ft agl
Temperature/Dew Point: 26°C / -4°C
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 5 knots, 70°
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 30.07 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Pahrump, NV (74P)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Pahrump, NV (74P)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1000 PDT
Type of Airspace: Class E

Airport Information

Airport: CALVADA MEADOWS (74P)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 2726 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 15
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 4081 ft / 48 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Go Around; Traffic Pattern 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage:Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious
Latitude, Longitude:  36.271944, -115.995278 (est)


Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Las Vegas, Nevada

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


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


Aviation Accident Data Summary - National Transportation Safety Board:  https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Location: Boulder City, NV
Accident Number: GAA17CA250
Date & Time: 04/30/2017, 0800 PDT
Registration: N366DN
Aircraft: NORTH WING UUM INC SPORT X2-N
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight
Injuries: 2 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional

Analysis 

The student pilot of the weight-shift-control aircraft reported that, while practicing touch-and-go landings on a dried lake bed, the flight instructor was controlling the throttle inputs, and she "controlled the wing." She added that, just before the accident, she observed three dust devils to the east and that, during a final pass near the north end of the lake bed, they came upon "strong localized turbulence." The aircraft impacted the ground and rolled to the left.

The flight instructor reported that, during the turbulence encounter "about 4-6 ft" above the ground, the "wing stalled," which resulted in a "hard nose wheel landing."

The weight-shift-control aircraft sustained substantial damage to both wings.

The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the weigh-shift-control aircraft that would have precluded normal operation.

The flight instructor reported that the wind was light and variable and that the temperature was 70°F at the accident location. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located about 6 miles northeast of the accident site reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was calm, and the temperature was 64°F. 

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The student pilot's exceedance of the weight-shift-control aircraft's critical angle of attack and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action and failure to maintain the proper airspeed after encountering localized turbulence during approach, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

Findings

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

Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Student pilot (Cause)
Delayed action - Instructor/check pilot (Cause)
Aircraft control - Instructor/check pilot (Cause)
Monitoring other person - Instructor/check pilot (Cause)
Monitoring other person - Instructor/check pilot (Cause)

Environmental issues
Dust devil/whirlwind - Effect on operation

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing
Turbulence encounter
Loss of control in flight (Defining event)
Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) 

Flight Instructor Information

Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial; Sport Pilot
Age: 62, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Rear
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Unknown
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Sport Pilot
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Sport Pilot
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 04/01/2017
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 415 hours (Total, all aircraft), 393 hours (Total, this make and model), 415 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 56 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 23 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft) 

Student Pilot Information

Certificate: Student
Age: 61, Female
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Unknown
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Sport Pilot
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 10 hours (Total, all aircraft), 10 hours (Total, this make and model)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: NORTH WING UUM INC
Registration: N366DN
Model/Series: SPORT X2-N NO SERIES
Aircraft Category: Weight-Shift
Year of Manufacture: 2008
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Special Light-Sport
Serial Number: LS7003
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 02/25/2017, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1060 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 652 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Rotax
ELT: Not installed
Engine Model/Series: 582 UL
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 65 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: KBVU, 2202 ft msl
Observation Time: 1455 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 6 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 40°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Temperature/Dew Point: 18°C / -9°C
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility:  10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: Calm
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 30.18 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point:  BOULDER CITY, NV (BVU)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: VFR
Destination: BOULDER CITY, NV (BVU)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 0655 MDT
Type of Airspace: Class G 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 35.866667, -114.943889 (est)

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