The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Albuquerque, New Mexico
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
Location: Las Cruces, New Mexico
Accident Number: WPR22LA116
Date and Time: March 2, 2022, 14:30 Local
Registration: N552XL
Aircraft: LIBERTY AEROSPACE INCORPORATED LIBERTY XL-2
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Collision during takeoff/land
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Analysis
The pilot reported that, during takeoff with a density altitude of 6,750 ft and the airplane’s weight near gross weight, the airplane’s acceleration seemed sluggish. The airplane lifted off about 1/3 of the way down the runway after achieving 55 knot rotation speed, but the climb was also “sluggish”. The airplane cleared the airport perimeter fence and began to settle. The airplane subsequently touched down on soft dirt and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation and he believed that the cause of the accident was a combination of high-density altitude and the airplane’s weight close to the maximum allowable gross weight.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The airplane’s inability to climb during takeoff due to a degradation of engine performance due to high density altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to continue the takeoff.
Findings
Aircraft Climb rate - Attain/maintain not possible
Personnel issues Decision making/judgment - Pilot
Environmental issues High density altitude - Effect on equipment
Factual Information
History of Flight
Takeoff Miscellaneous/other
Takeoff Collision during takeoff/land (Defining event)
Pilot Information
Certificate: Commercial; Flight instructor
Age: 71, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Single-engine sea; Multi-engine land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Glider; Gyroplane; Helicopter
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane multi-engine; Airplane single-engine; Instrument airplane
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification: Class 2 With waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: April 12, 2021
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: August 29, 2021
Flight Time: 2278.5 hours (Total, all aircraft), 373.8 hours (Total, this make and model), 2087.3 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 11.4 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 11.4 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: LIBERTY AEROSPACE INCORPORATED
Registration: N552XL
Model/Series: LIBERTY XL-2
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2006
Amateur Built:
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental (Special)
Serial Number: 0042
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: February 28, 2022 Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1653 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1
Airframe Total Time: 384.9 Hrs at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer:
ELT: C91 installed
Engine Model/Series:
Registered Owner:
Rated Power:
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KLRU,4456 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 14:35 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 200°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: Unknown / Unknown
Wind Direction:
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: Unknown / Unknown
Altimeter Setting: 30.14 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 26°C / -7°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Las Cruces, NM
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Marana, AZ (AVQ)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time:
Type of Airspace: Class E
Airport Information
Airport: LAS CRUCES INTL LRU
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 4456 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Dry; Rough
Runway Used: 04
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 7501 ft / 105 ft
VFR Approach/Landing:
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 32.297882,-106.91053(est)
Location: Las Cruces, New Mexico
Accident Number: WPR22LA116
Date and Time: March 2, 2022, 14:36 Local
Registration: N552XL
Aircraft: LIBERTY AEROSPACE INCORPORATED LIBERTY XL-2
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: LIBERTY AEROSPACE INCORPORATED
Registration: N552XL
Model/Series: LIBERTY XL-2
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built:
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Designator Code:
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: VMC
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KLRU, 4456 ft msl
Observation Time: 14:35 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 26°C /-7°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: / ,
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.14 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Departure Point: Las Cruces, NM
Destination: Marana, AZ (AVQ)
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 32.297882,-106.91053 (est)
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