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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

July 28, 2001 · Williams RV-6A · N131LH

Hawthorne, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 28, 2001
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Hawthorne, CA
Aircraft
Williams RV-6A
Tail Number
N131LH
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX01LA264

Upon arriving at the destination airport, the pilot elected to land long on runway 25 in order to be closer to the airplane's hangar. According to the pilot, during landing flare a windshear or gust was encountered. Although he attempted to take corrective action, he lost control of his airplane, it impacted the runway hard, and a wing broke. No gusts were reported by the airport facility that indicated the local wind was from 250 degrees at 7 knots. The pilot had arrived at the destination airport after flying over 643 nautical miles on a nonstop flight.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of his airplane during the landing flare.

Full Narrative

On July 27, 2001 about 1851 Pacific daylight time, a Williams RV-6A, N131LH, owned and operated by the pilot, made a hard landing on runway 25 at the Jack Northrop Field, Hawthorne, California. The experimental airplane was substantially damaged. Neither the certificated airline transport pilot nor the passenger was injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed during the personal flight. No flight plan was filed. The flight was performed under 14 CFR Part 91, and it originated from Alamosa, Colorado, about 1230 mountain daylight time. The pilot verbally reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that he had to add engine power during the landing flare. However, the airplane likely stalled and "dropped hard" onto the runway. The left wing broke. In the pilot's completed accident report, he indicated that he had landed long because the airplane's hangar was at the far end of runway 25. During the landing flare a windshear or gust lifted the right wing upward, and the left wing tip contacted the runway. He attempted to increase engine power to compensate for the upset, but he was not successful. At 1853, Hawthorne reported its surface wind was from 250 degrees at 7 knots. No gusts were reported. The (great circle) distance between Alamosa and Hawthorne is about 643 nautical miles. The pilot was unclear regarding his exact departure time. However, he stated that the flight was performed nonstop.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:51 PDT
Nearest AirportJack Northrop Field (0nm)
Runway25
Runway Length4956 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftWilliams RV-6A
Tail NumberN131LH
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A1A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 70 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 61 F
Altimeter29.92 inHg
Observation Time01:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data