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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

April 12, 1995 · K A Covington Lancair 320 Lancair 32 · N24KB

Prescott, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 12, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Prescott, AZ
Aircraft
K A Covington Lancair 320 Lancair 32
Tail Number
N24KB
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX95LA159

THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING A LOCAL VFR TEST FLIGHT FOLLOWING A NEW WEIGHT AND BALANCE ON THE AIRPLANE. THE PILOT SAID THAT AFTER FLYING OVER THE AIRPORT BETWEEN 15 AND 20 MINUTES, HE ENTERED THE TRAFFIC PATTERN. HE SAID THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO STABILIZE THE AIRPLANE ON THE INITIAL APPROACH AND THAT IT CONTINUED TO VIOLENTLY PITCH UP AND DOWN. HE EXECUTED A GO-AROUND AND REENTERED THE TRAFFIC PATTERN. HE SAID HE WAS UNABLE TO STABILIZE THE AIRPLANE ON THE SECOND APPROACH AND THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND SUSTAINED A HARD LANDING. THE PILOT SAID THAT AFTER THE ACCIDENT HE REALIZED THAT THE ELEVATOR TRIM TAB WAS SET TO THE AFT POSITION. HE ALSO INDICATED IN THE ACCIDENT REPORT THAT THE AIRPLANE DID NOT EXPERIENCE ANY PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to attain a stabilized approach due to an improper elevator trim setting resulting in an improper flare.

Full Narrative

On April 12, 1995, at 1625 hours mountain standard time, an amateur built Covington Lancair 320, N24KB, landed hard and collapsed the main landing gears on runway 11 at Ernest J. Love Field, Prescott, Arizona. The pilot was completing a local visual flight rules personal flight. The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at Ernest J. Love Field at 1550 hours. The pilot said in a telephone interview conducted on April 12, 1995, that while on final approach, the throttle "continually crept toward the idle position." This condition required him to hold the throttle in with his right hand and manipulate the control stick with his left hand. The pilot said he was unable to maintain a stabilized approach and the airplane began porpoising up and down. He said that he failed to execute a go-around in a timely manner. During the go-around, the airplane settled to the ground and landed hard. Both main landing gears collapsed on touchdown. However, in the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, he said that he was conducting a test flight following a new weight and balance configuration. He said the airplane had not been flown for 7 months. After takeoff, he circled the airport between 15 and 20 minutes checking engine performance and temperatures and then entered the traffic pattern. On the first approach, the airplane pitched violently about the lateral axis and he "over controlled" the airplane. He was not used to handling the control stick with his left hand and that he had " . . . too much back trim set in . . . ." He then executed a go-around and reentered the traffic pattern. He said the second attempt to land was " . . . even worse than the first, ending in a stall and impact with the runway . . . ." After the accident, he said he realized that the elevator trim was set for a nose-heavy condition--the previous condition of the airplane. The pilot also noted in the accident report that the airplane did not experience any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:25 MST
Nearest AirportErnest J. Love Field (0nm)
Runway11
Runway Length4408 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftK A Covington Lancair 320 Lancair 32
Tail NumberN24KB
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-B1B · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 70 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 8 kt
Visibility65 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point25 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time23:25
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data