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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

August 26, 1995 · Short Lancair 320 Lancair 32 · N3204S

Rio Vista, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 26, 1995
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Rio Vista, CA
Aircraft
Short Lancair 320 Lancair 32
Tail Number
N3204S
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX95LA306

THE PILOT OF THE AMATEUR BUILT AIRCRAFT REPORTED THAT DURING FLARE FOR LANDING THE RIGHT WING DROPPED AND CONTACTED THE RUNWAY DESPITE HIS EFFORTS TO HOLD THE WING UP USING FULL LEFT AILERON CONTROL. THE AIRCRAFT BOUNCED, THE RIGHT WING DROPPED AGAIN, AND THE AIRCRAFT VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY TO THE LEFT AND GROUND LOOPED. POSTACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED THAT THE LEFT FLAP WAS FULLY EXTENDED AND THE RIGHT FULLY RETRACTED, WITH NO INDICATION OF IMPACT DAMAGE ON THE RIGHT FLAP. THE RIGHT WING FLAP ACTUATING PUSHROD WAS FOUND BENT AND THE THREADED PORTION OF THE ROD END WAS FRACTURED. THE DESIGNER OF THE AIRCRAFT, WHO SELLS THE AIRCRAFT TO BUILDERS IN KIT FORM, STATED THAT THE FAILED PUSHROD HAD BEEN SUPERSEDED BY A STRONGER ROD DESIGN 4 YEARS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT IN RESPONSE TO OPERATOR REPORTS OF BENT PUSHRODS. AT THAT TIME, A BULLETIN REGARDING THE CHANGE WAS SENT TO KIT OWNERS.

NTSB Probable Cause

the failure of the wing flap actuator pushrod creating an asymmetrical flap condition during the landing flare maneuver. A contributing factor was the failure of the owner/builder to incorporate a manufacturer's design change for a stronger actuator pushrod.

Full Narrative

On August 26, 1995 at 1203 hours Pacific daylight time, a Short Lancair 320, N3204S, was substantially damaged when the pilot lost control of the aircraft during the landing flare, impacted the runway and ground looped on runway 25 at Rio Vista, California. The amateur built aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan. The private pilot reported minor injuries and the sole passenger received serious injuries. The flight departed from Delano, California, at 1040. The pilot reported that during flare for landing the right wing dropped and contacted the runway despite his efforts to hold the wing up using full left aileron control. The aircraft bounced, the right wing dropped again, and the aircraft veered off the runway to the left and ground looped. The aircraft came to rest headed east, about 1500 feet beyond the runway threshold and 50 feet left (south) of the runway centerline. After exiting the aircraft, the pilot and his passenger noticed that the left wing flap was fully extended and the right wing flap was fully retracted. There were no impact marks on the right wing flap. Inspection of the aircraft revealed that the right wing flap actuating pushrod had broken. The pushrod had a long, smooth "S" bend over its length. In the threaded end of the rod near the rod-end fitting attachment there was a sharp, 85-degree bend where the rod had broken apart. The designer of the aircraft, who sells the aircraft to builders in kit form, stated that the failed pushrod had been superseded by a stronger rod design 4 years prior to the accident in response to operator reports of bent pushrods. At that time, a bulletin regarding the change was sent to kit owners.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:03 PDT
Nearest AirportRio Vista Airport (0nm)
Runway25
Runway Length3060 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftShort Lancair 320 Lancair 32
Tail NumberN3204S
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 52 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 5 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time18:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data