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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

October 8, 1989 · Roger Nelson Aeronica/T · N101E

Sierra Vista, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 8, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Sierra Vista, AZ
Aircraft
Roger Nelson Aeronica/T
Tail Number
N101E
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX90DUJ01

THE FLIGHT WAS PART OF AN AIRSHOW ROUTINE DURING WHICH THE PILOT LANDS THE AIRCRAFT ON A PLATFORM MOUNTED ON A MOVING PICKUP TRUCK. THE PLATFORM HAS 10 INCH DEEP SEMICIRCULAR DEPRESSIONS WHERE THE AIRCRAFT WHEELS COME TO REST. THE PILOT MADE 3 ATTEMPTS TO LAND ON THE PLATFORM. ON THE THIRD ATTEMPT, THE WHEELS SETTLED INTO THE DEPRESSIONS. WITNESSES SAW THE AIRCRAFT IMMEDIATELY BEGIN TO PITCH FORWARD AND DOWN IN FRONT OF THE PLATFORM AS THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR STRUT FAILED IN AN AFT DIRECTION. REVIEW OF THE FAA ACCIDENT/INCIDENT FILES REVEALED THAT THE PILOT HAD A SIMILAR ACCIDENT IN 1988 WHILE PRACTICING THE AIRSHOW ROUTINE. NO UNUSUAL CHARACTERISTICS WERE OBSERVED ON THE FRACTURE FACE OF THE FAILED LANDING GEAR STRUT.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S INACCURATE PLACEMENT OF THE AIRCRAFT WHEELS INTO DEPRESSIONS IN A PLATFORM MOUNTED ON A MOVING PICKUP TRUCK DURING AN AIRSHOW PERFORMANCE.

Full Narrative

THE FLIGHT WAS PART OF AN AIRSHOW ROUTINE DURING WHICH THE PILOT LANDS THE AIRCRAFT ON A PLATFORM MOUNTED ON A MOVING PICKUP TRUCK. THE PLATFORM HAS 10 INCH DEEP SEMICIRCULAR DEPRESSIONS WHERE THE AIRCRAFT WHEELS COME TO REST. THE PILOT MADE 3 ATTEMPTS TO LAND ON THE PLATFORM. ON THE THIRD ATTEMPT, THE WHEELS SETTLED INTO THE DEPRESSIONS. WITNESSES SAW THE AIRCRAFT IMMEDIATELY BEGIN TO PITCH FORWARD AND DOWN IN FRONT OF THE PLATFORM AS THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR STRUT FAILED IN AN AFT DIRECTION. REVIEW OF THE FAA ACCIDENT/INCIDENT FILES REVEALED THAT THE PILOT HAD A SIMILAR ACCIDENT IN 1988 WHILE PRACTICING THE AIRSHOW ROUTINE. NO UNUSUAL CHARACTERISTICS WERE OBSERVED ON THE FRACTURE FACE OF THE FAILED LANDING GEAR STRUT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:23 MST
Nearest AirportSierra Vista Municipal (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRoger Nelson Aeronica/T
Tail NumberN101E
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-290 · Reciprocating · 125
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 39 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind80° @ 1 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:28
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data