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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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July 13, 2002 · Mcconnell Lancair 320 · N320DM

Sedona, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 13, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Sedona, AZ
Aircraft
Mcconnell Lancair 320
Tail Number
N320DM
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX02LA224

The pilot lost control of the airplane on landing after encountering a right quartering tailwind, resulting in the left wing contacting the ground. Winds were from 160 degrees at 5-6 knots. The pilot said that after crossing the threshold of runway 3, a "burst" of wind hit the airplane's right side, lifting the right wing. The pilot added power in an attempt to stabilize the airplane, but the wind pushed the airplane "strongly to the left" and the left wing struck the ground. The airplane spun to the left, the propeller hit the ground, and the airplane skidded across the infield before coming to rest inverted. The pilot indicated that the normal procedures at the airport were to land on runway 3, which sloped uphill, and takeoff on runway 21, which sloped downhill, when the winds were less than 10 knots. Review of available airport information revealed no published special procedures for takeoff and landing due to the slope of the runway.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's inadequate compensation for a right, quartering tailwind during landing resulting in a loss of aircraft control and dragging a wing during the landing flare.

Full Narrative

On July 13, 2002, about 1130 mountain standard time, an amateur-built, experimental McConnell Lancair 320 airplane, N320DM, contacted the runway with the left wing prior to landing and came to rest inverted in a drainage culvert at the Sedona Airport (SEZ), Sedona, Arizona. The airplane, operated by the owner/pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, sustained substantial damage. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-country flight that departed the McClellan-Palomar Airport (CRQ), Carlsbad, California, at 0940. The flight was scheduled to terminate at SEZ. In a written statement, the pilot stated that he received a weather briefing before departure for the route of flight, which reported light and variable winds at the destination. The pilot then departed and experienced a uneventful flight except for a "few bumps." About 12 miles from Sedona, the pilot listened to the automated weather observation system (AWOS) frequency, which reported the winds from 160 degrees at 5-6 knots. The pilot then made his initial call to SEZ traffic stating his intention to enter the traffic pattern for runway 3. The pilot added that the normal procedure at SEZ was to land on runway 3 due to its upward slope, and takeoff downhill on runway 21 unless the winds are greater than 10 knots. The pilot became established on final approach. As the airplane crossed the threshold, the descent was normal, the pilot noted the airspeed was gradually bleeding off, and he was waiting for the wheels to touch down. He said that suddenly a "burst of wind hit from the right side," "lifting the right wing." The pilot added power and attempted to stabilize the airplane; however, the wind pushed the airplane "strongly to the left" and the left wing struck the ground. The airplane spun to the left, the propeller hit the ground, and the airplane skidded across the infield stopping inverted just short of the inner taxiway. The private pilot accumulated a total of 813 hours of flight time, of which 161 hours were obtained in the accident airplane. A review of the Airport/Facility Directory and AirNav's Airport website, revealed no procedures for landing and takeoff due to the runway slope. The runway is 5,132 feet long, and the threshold elevation of runway 3 and 21 are 4,735.8 feet and 4,829.5 feet mean sea level (msl), respectively.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:30 MST
Nearest AirportSEDONA (0nm)
Runway3
Runway Length5132 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMcconnell Lancair 320
Tail NumberN320DM
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · I0-320 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 63 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point10 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.02 inHg
Observation Time18:30
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data