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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

July 26, 2003 · Lancair 235 · N235WC

Page, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 26, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Page, AZ
Aircraft
Lancair 235
Tail Number
N235WC
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX03CA257

The airplane porpoised during landing, and the nose landing gear collapsed. During final approach, the airplane's ground speed increased and a higher than normal sink rate developed. The pilot was unable to slow the descent in time to prevent a hard landing. After a series of bounces, the nose gear collapsed and the airplane skidded down the runway. The fuel lines broke and a fire erupted. The estimated density altitude was 7,700 feet msl.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's misjudged landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing and his improper recovery from a bounced landing. Inadvertent entry into a porpoise pilot-induced oscillation, and high density altitude were contributing factors.

Full Narrative

On July 26, 2003, about 1400 mountain standard time, an experimental Lancair 235, N235WC, porpoised during landing at Page Municipal Airport (PGA), Page, Arizona. As a result, the nose gear collapsed. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal cross-country flight originated from Camarillo Airport (CMA), Camarillo, California, about 1100 Pacific daylight time. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that during final approach, the airplane's ground speed increased and a higher than normal sink rate developed. The efficiency of the engine and propeller seemed lower than normal, which he attributed to the density altitude. Prior to touchdown, the airspeed was still higher than normal and the airplane touched down hard. Upon touchdown, the nose gear collapsed and the airplane skidded down the runway. The fuel lines broke and a fire erupted. The pilot said that the density altitude was 7,700 feet mean sea level (msl). He experienced a higher than normal sink rate on final and was unable to slow the descent in time to prevent a hard landing. The airport manager reported that the airplane "hit too hard," and on the second or third bounce the "nose hit the ground [and] the landing gear collapsed."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 MST
Nearest AirportPage Municipal Airport (0nm)
Runway33
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireGrd

Aircraft

AircraftLancair 235
Tail NumberN235WC
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · 10-320 · Reciprocating · 170
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 62 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data