Saturday, March 30, 2019

Runway Excursion: Rutan Long-EZ, N8714S, accident occurred April 21, 2018 at Ryan Field Airport (KRYN), Tucson, Pima County, Arizona

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

Additional Participating Entity:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Scottsdale, Arizona

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/N8714S


Location: Tucson, AZ
Accident Number: GAA18CA227
Date & Time: 04/21/2018, 1700 MST
Registration: N8714S
Aircraft: IRVIN STEPHEN D RUTAN LONG E Z
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Runway excursion
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

Analysis 

According to the pilot in the retractable-nosewheel airplane, he landed about midfield on the 4,000-ft-long runway, and his approach speed was about 10 knots too fast. During the landing roll, the pilot started a right turn to exit his approaching taxiway and pressed the brakes hard because the ground speed was too fast. He reported that he heard a "small pop" and that he had "no braking control," and the airplane veered left. He released the brake pressure and retracted the nose landing gear to slow the airplane. The airplane skidded off the left side of the runway and collided with trees.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left canard and right wing.

A Federal Aviation Administration aviation safety inspector who examined the airplane after the accident reported that the right brake fluid line failed at the brake caliper. He asserted that the brake line failure was not a material failure, rather it was the result of the airplane's collision with trees. 

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's excessive ground speed and loss of directional control while exiting the taxiway. 

Findings

Aircraft
Surface speed/braking - Not attained/maintained (Cause)
Directional control - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause)

Environmental issues
Tree(s) - Contributed to outcome

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing-landing roll
Miscellaneous/other
Loss of control on ground
Attempted remediation/recovery
Runway excursion (Defining event)
Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 71, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 11/01/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 12/21/2016
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 576 hours (Total, all aircraft), 346 hours (Total, this make and model), 427 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 6 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 5 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 2 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: IRVIN STEPHEN D
Registration: N8714S
Model/Series: RUTAN LONG E Z NO SERIES
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1987
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental
Serial Number: 2037
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 09/13/2017, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1825 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 2763 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-320-E2D
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 160 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: KRYN, 2418 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 2358 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 27°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 8 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: /
Wind Direction: 300°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 29.97 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 28°C / -3°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: CHINO, CA (CNO)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Tucson, AZ (RYN)
Type of Clearance: Traffic Advisory; VFR; VFR Flight Following
Departure Time: 1430 CDT
Type of Airspace: Class D 

Airport Information

Airport: RYAN FIELD (RYN)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 2418 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 33
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 4000 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Traffic Pattern 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 32.139167, -111.173611 (est)

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