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NTSB Report

December 15, 2018 · Brandt Sonex B · N393SX

Lodi, WI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 15, 2018
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Lodi, WI
Aircraft
Brandt Sonex B (2014)
Tail Number
N393SX
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN19LA045

The sport pilot was conducting a personal, local flight when the airplane's left wingtip impacted a tree while on final approach to the runway. The pilot stated that, during final approach, he was fixated on maintaining the proper landing airspeed and that he inadvertently allowed the airplane to drift north of the final approach course into the tree. The airplane then spun around the tree and descended nose down to ground impact. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain proper alignment with the runway during final approach, which resulted in impact with a tree.

Full Narrative

On December 15, 2018, about 1420 central standard time, an amateur-built Sonex airplane, N393SX, collided with a tree and terrain while on final approach to Lodi Lakeland Airport (9WN5), near Lodi, Wisconsin. The sport pilot sustained serious injuries, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was owned by the pilot and operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 as a personal flight without a flight plan. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight that departed 9WN5 about 1340.The pilot reported that he entered the left downwind leg for runway 9 with the intention to make a full-stop landing. He stated that his turn from the downwind leg to base leg was uneventful; however, the airplane's airspeed had increased slightly during the base leg. The pilot reported that he turned onto final approach about ½ mile from the end of the runway at 1,600 ft mean sea level (about 750 ft above the ground) and reduced airspeed to about 63 mph. The pilot stated that while he focused on maintaining proper landing airspeed the airplane drifted north of the extended runway centerline and the airplane's left wingtip collided with a treetop about 50-60 ft above the ground. The airplane subsequently spun around the tree and descended about 60° nose-down into the ground. The pilot stated that the airplane did not bounce upon impact with the ground. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal flight. The pilot stated that he was fixated with maintaining his airspeed during final approach and that he inadvertently allowed the airplane to drift north of the final approach course and into the tree.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:20 CST
Nearest AirportLodi Lakeland Airport (0nm W)
Runway09
Runway Length1875 ft
Runway Width105 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBrandt Sonex B
Tail NumberN393SX
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsUlpower Aero Engines · UL260IS · Reciprocating · 107
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 73 · Sprt · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point48 / 28 C
Altimeter30.17 inHg
Observation Time20:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data