Wednesday, June 30, 2021

Loss of Control in Flight: Lancair 235, N43KC; accident occurred June 29, 2021 at Borrego Air Ranch Airport (58CL), Borrego Springs, San Diego County, California





Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board 

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

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

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket
Location: Borrego Springs, California
Accident Number: WPR21LA257
Date and Time: June 29, 2021, 11:35 Local 
Registration: N43KC
Aircraft: WHEELER C / WHEELER K LANCAIR 235 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis

The pilot reported that during landing with a right crosswind, the airplane drifted left of runway centerline. The pilot applied right bank and left rudder control input, but the airplane continued to drift left. The pilot then increased engine power for a go-around, but the left wing dropped, and the left bank increased. The pilot continued to attempt recovery, but the airplane was too low. The airplane subsequently collided with the terrain next to the runway. The left wing and rudder sustained substantial damage. 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 airplane control during a crosswind landing which resulted in an impact with terrain. 

Findings

Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot
Environmental issues Crosswind - Effect on equipment

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing-flare/touchdown Loss of control in flight (Defining event)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Flight instructor 
Age: 48, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Multi-engine land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None 
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane 
Second Pilot Present:
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane single-engine; Instrument airplane
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification: Class 1 With waivers/limitations 
Last FAA Medical Exam: February 28, 2020
Occupational Pilot: Yes 
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: (Estimated) 1784 hours (Total, all aircraft), 4 hours (Total, this make and model), 1695 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 89 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 27 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: WHEELER C / WHEELER K 
Registration: N43KC
Model/Series: LANCAIR 235 
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1992 
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental (Special) 
Serial Number: 124
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle 
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: June 12, 2021 Condition
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1480 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 860 Hrs as of last inspection 
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: C91 installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: 0-290 SERIES
Registered Owner: 
Rated Power: 140 Horsepower
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: L08 
Distance from Accident Site: 0.2 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 11:35 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 360°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None 
Visibility (RVR): 2982 ft
Wind Speed/Gusts: 10 knots / 
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 140° 
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.76 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 34°C / 18°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: El Cajon, CA (KSEE)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Borrego Springs, CA 
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 10:58 Local 
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: BORREGO VALLEY L08 
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 522 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 08/26 
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 5011 ft / 75 ft 
VFR Approach/Landing: Full stop; Go around; Traffic pattern

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 33.259028,-116.32097(est)

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