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September 3, 2014 · Davis Benny Christen Eagle II · N229HP

Vinton, IA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 3, 2014
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Vinton, IA
Aircraft
Davis Benny Christen Eagle II (1990)
Tail Number
N229HP
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN14LA493

The pilot reported that the airplane touched down on the runway just before the intersection with the crossing runway. The airplane subsequently encountered a "significant dip and rise" in the pavement at the intersection, and the airplane became airborne again. The pilot reported that a crown to the pavement on the landing runway also tended to pull the airplane toward the left side of the runway. The left main landing gear wheel subsequently departed the left side of the runway pavement. During the pilot's attempt to return to the runway, the landing gear encountered the edge of the pavement, causing the left landing gear to collapse. The pilot reported that there were no failures or malfunctions with the airplane before the accident. A second pilot reported a runway excursion on landing after encountering the uneven pavement; however, his airplane was not damaged.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's loss of directional control during landing after the airplane encountered uneven pavement at the intersection with a crossing runway.

Full Narrative

On September 3, 2014, about 1100 central daylight time, a Davis Benny Christen Eagle II airplane, N229HP, sustained substantial damage after a runway excursion during landing on runway 16 (2,500 feet by 50 feet, asphalt) at the Vinton Veterans Memorial Airpark (VTI), Vinton, Iowa. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not operated on a flight plan. The flight originated from the Joliet Regional Airport (JOT), Joliet, Illinois, about 0945.The pilot reported that the airplane touched down on runway 16 just before the intersection with runway 9/27. The runway 9/27 intersection was located about 620 feet from the runway 16 approach threshold. He noted that there was a "significant dip and rise" at the intersection, which caused the airplane to become airborne again. He added that there was also a "pronounced crown" to runway 16 that tended to pull the airplane toward the left side of the runway. The left main landing gear wheel subsequently departed the left side of the runway pavement. Upon the pilot's attempt to return to the runway, the landing gear encountered the edge of the pavement, causing it to collapse. The pilot reported there were no failures or malfunctions with the airplane before the accident. A witness recalled that the airplane touched down on runway 16, north of the intersection with runway 9/27. Within about one second, the airplane encountered the difference in the pavement height at the runway intersection causing it to become airborne again. The airplane drifted toward the right side of the runway. The pilot attempted to correct, but the airplane subsequently went off the left side of the runway. The witness noted that the airplane did not ground loop during the landing. The airplane came to rest facing west, with the nose on the runway and the tail in the grass. The same witness, who was also a local pilot, stated that he normally slows the airplane before the runway intersection or lands past it. He added if a pilot landed near the intersection, they are going to get "hit pretty hard." A second pilot reported he landed on runway 16 about one hour after the accident. He recalled touching down near the runway threshold; however, his airplane became airborne again due to a one or two foot drop off at the intersection with runway 09/27. Immediately after the runway intersection, the level of the pavement rose again, which caused his airplane to "bounce." His airplane drifted to the left and into the grass adjacent to the runway; however, his airplane was not damaged. A member of the airport commission reported that there was an asphalt overlay on runway 16/34 in 2001. The pavement is uneven at the intersection with runway 9 -27; however, she did not recall it ever being a problem in the past. She also noted that the asphalt runway has a crown to facilitate drainage. The pilot reported the wind was from 170 degrees at 11 knots, gusting to 16 knots, at the time of the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:00 CDT
Nearest AirportVinton Veterans Memorial (0nm N)
Runway16
Runway Length2500 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftDavis Benny Christen Eagle II
Tail NumberN229HP
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · AEIO-360-B1G6 · Reciprocating · 212
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 46 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F
Altimeter29.95 inHg
Observation Time15:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data