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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

September 24, 1994 · Corley Lancair · N6RC

Ramona, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 24, 1994
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Ramona, CA
Aircraft
Corley Lancair
Tail Number
N6RC
Operator
Ronald W Corley
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX94LA375

WITNESSES REPORTED OBSERVING THE AIRPLANE LIFT-OFF AT A SLOW AIRSPEED, AND THEN BEGIN CLIMBING AT AN UNUSUALLY HIGH NOSE-UP PITCH ATTITUDE. THE AIRPLANE'S WINGS ROCKED, THE PITCH ATTITUDE DID NOT DECREASE, AND THE AIRPLANE STALLED. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN ABOUT 500 FEET SOUTH OF THE RUNWAY AND BURNED. THE FAA REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS OPERATED AT 340 POUNDS OVER ITS RECOMMENDED MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's premature lift-off and failure to obtain the requisite minimum airspeed for flight, failure to maintain control of his airplane, and inadvertent stalling during initial climb. Factors which contributed to the accident related to the pilot's improper use of the elevator control and the overweight condition of the airplane.

Full Narrative

HISTORY OF FLIGHT: On September 24, 1994, at 1000 Pacific daylight time, a Corley Lancair, N6RC, operated by its builder/owner, collided with terrain about 500 feet south of runway 27 at the Ramona (uncontrolled) Airport, Ramona, California. The personal flight was originating at the time of the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed during the planned flight to Sedona, Arizona. The homebuilt airplane was destroyed by impact forces and postcrash fire. The private pilot and passenger were fatally injured. Several persons witnessed the accident flight. In summary, none reported observing anything unusual during the start of the airplane's takeoff ground roll. The witnesses reported that the airplane appeared to lift-off at an airspeed slower than normal. One witness reported seeing the airplane "jump up prematurely" during the lift-off sequence, and then it settled back down without touching the runway. Another witness reported seeing the airplane's wings "bobbling slightly" when it was 20 to 25 feet in the air. Several witnesses reported seeing the airplane climbing slowly with a high or very high nose-up pitch attitude. A commercial pilot, who was a passenger in an airplane holding on runway 27 for takeoff, made the following statement regarding his observations of the accident flight: "I noticed the Lancair begin its climb and soon started to see more and more of the top of the aircraft, beginning to realize he appeared to slow, with too much nose-up pitch attitude. From my vantage point the increase in pitch attitude seemed smooth and it did not at that point sink in that they were in trouble. The aircraft started to slowly drop its left wing and begin to alter its flight path toward the south as it crossed over to the left in what I best describe as a smooth wingover and left wing low/nose low decent." The commercial pilot further reported that about 15 seconds after the airplane descended behind a small rise on the south side of the runway, a smoke column was observed coming straight up from the wreckage area. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) coordinator reported that a review of the pilot's flight training and airplane records indicated the pilot had not received flight instruction in the Lancair. Also, the pilot was known to use abrupt rotation techniques during takeoff at lower than correct airspeed. During the accident flight the airplane had likely been operated 340 pounds over the recommended maximum gross weight of 1,400 pounds.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 PDT
Nearest AirportRAMONA (0nm)
Runway27
Runway Length4000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledUnknown
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCorley Lancair
Tail NumberN6RC
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorRonald W Corley
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-290-D2 · Reciprocating · 118
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 51 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data