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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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October 21, 1995 · Eaa Chapter 163 Breezy RLU-1A Breezy RLU · N3184

Henderson, NV

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 21, 1995
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Henderson, NV
Aircraft
Eaa Chapter 163 Breezy RLU-1A Breezy RLU
Tail Number
N3184
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX96LA019

AFTER TAKING OFF FROM A DRY LAKE BED, THE PILOT INTENDED TO FLY TO THE AIRPORT. WHILE CRUISING EN ROUTE FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES AT A LOW ALTITUDE, HE ENCOUNTERED STRONG WINDS, DOWNDRAFTS, AND RISING TERRAIN. THE PILOT FURTHER REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE CLIMBED OVER THE FIRST RIDGE. APPROACHING THE SECOND RIDGE, HE ENCOUNTERED 'A SEVERE DOWN DRAFT' AND THE AIRPLANE PANCAKED INTO THE UP-SLOPING ROCKY GROUND. HE REPORTED NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain a proper cruise altitude and his inadequate in-flight planning. Contributing factors were encountering rising terrain and a downdraft.

Full Narrative

On October 21, 1995, at 1530 hours Pacific daylight time, an Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Breezy RLU-1A, N3184, collided with terrain about 10 miles south-southeast of Henderson, Nevada. The airplane was owned by the EAA and was substantially damaged. The certificated commercial pilot received serious injuries, and the passenger was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The personal flight originated from the El Dorado Dry Lake Bed about 1525. The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board that, after taking off, he intended to fly to the North Las Vegas Air Terminal. While en route, he encountered strong winds, down drafts, and rising terrain. The pilot further reported that the airplane climbed over the first ridge. Approaching the second ridge, he encountered "a severe down draft" and was not able to climb over the rising terrain. The airplane pancaked into the up-sloping rocky ground.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:30 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftEaa Chapter 163 Breezy RLU-1A Breezy RLU
Tail NumberN3184
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-290D · Reciprocating · 125
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 49 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 25 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data