Super Glasair II, N400MC: Accident occurred September 09, 2019 near Reno/Stead Airport (KRTS), Washoe County, Nevada

Havoc Air Racing

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

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

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

https://registry.faa.gov/N400MC

Location: Reno, NV
Accident Number: WPR19LA261
Date & Time: 09/09/2019, 1620 PDT
Registration: N400MC
Aircraft: Stoddard Hamilton GLASAIR II
Injuries: 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On September 9, 2019, about 1620 Pacific daylight time, a Havoc Air Racing LLC Super GT 111 Airplane, N400MC, experienced an electrical failure while maneuvering near the Reno/Stead Airport (RTS), Reno, Nevada. The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by Havoc Air Racing LLC, as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from RTS at about 1525.

The pilot reported that after finishing qualification laps, he pulled off the course for a cool down. As he prepared the airplane for landing, he attempted to lower the landing gear but the left main gear indicator light in the cockpit indicated the gear was unsafe. The pilot attempted to troubleshoot the problem, however, the gear never lowered. During this troubleshooting, the pilot also noticed that electrical bus 1 was no longer charging; shortly thereafter the airplane experienced an electrical failure and the engine quit. The pilot conducted a belly landing onto the runway and a post landing fire ensued.

The airplane has been recovered to a secure location for further examination.

Havoc Air Racing

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Stoddard Hamilton
Registration: N400MC
Model/Series: GLASAIR II RG
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: Yes
Operator: Havoc Air Racing LLC
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KRTS, 5050 ft msl
Observation Time: 1615 PDT
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 21°C / -4°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 15 knots / , 230°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.94 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Reno, NV (RTS)
Destination: Reno, NV (RTS)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: On-Ground
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 39.667500, -119.872500 (est)