# NTSB ATL02LA028: Pioneer 85, Lajas, PR, December 29, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 29, 2001, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Lajas, PR - Coordinates: 18.040796, -67.060478 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=18.0408&lon=-67.0605&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report August 26, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: SanJuan FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 53973 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL02LA028 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53973/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL02LA028 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to attempt a go-around after a hard landing that resulted in the overload failure of the flight control brackets and the loss of flight control. The airplane collided with a building during the attempted go-around. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - flt control syst,yoke/control stick - overload (cause) - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause) - go-around - attempted, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not possible, pilot in command - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown - In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr) - object - building(nonresidential) - go-around - attempted, pilot in command ## Analysis The pilot stated he experienced a strong gust of wind from the south east within 2 or 3 miles from his destination airport. While announcing his position on frequency 122.9 on approach he experienced another gust and subsequent downdraft. He stated, I applied full power and pulled on the elevator and immediately impacted to the left side of the runway. Review of surface weather observation closest to the accident site revealed there were no recorded gusts or downdrafts. Examination of the crash site revealed the airplane collided with the ground in a nose-down attitude separating the nose gear. The pilot applied max power in an attempted go-around, the airplane collided with the top of a hangar and came to rest on the ground inverted. Examination of the airframe and flight control system revealed no evidence of a pre-crash mechanical failure or malfunction. The plastic brackets that hold the control stick in place were broken during the hard landing resulting in a total loss of directional control of the flight control system. ## Factual narrative On December 29, 2001, at 1130 eastern standard time, an unregistered Pioneer 85 airplane, operating as a 14 CFR part 91 personnel flight, crashed on landing at a private strip in Lajas, Puerto Rico. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The private pilot and one passenger reported minor injuries. The flight originated from Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, at 1100. According to the pilot, he experience a strong gust of wind from the south east within 2 or 3 miles from the Lajas Agricultural Airport. He applied aileron and rudder to put the airplane back on course. He announced his position on frequency 122.9, and received a faint and broken response giving wind information. "At that time we experienced another gust in which I had to apply full left aileron and rudder to correct the course. I decided to land instead of overlying the field as we crossed the fence line next to the field we were hit by a strong downdraft. I applied full power & pulled on the elevator & immediately after impacted to the left side of the runway. I believe that because I had full power at impact the airplane bounced & inverted." The nearest weather reporting facility at the time of the accident was Eugenio Maria de Hostos Airport, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. The 1150 surface weather observation was: 4,000 , visibility 10 miles, temperature 86 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point temperature 72 degrees Fahrenheit, wind 080-degrees at 5 knots, and altimeter 30.04. There were no reported gusts or wind shear and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. Examination of the a crash site by the FAA revealed the airplane collided with the ground hard on the nose gear separating the nose gear. The pilot applied max power, lost control, hit the top of the hangar, and crashed upside down. Examination of the airframe and flight control system revealed no evidence of a precrash mechanical failure or malfunction. Further examination of the flight control system revealed the plastic brackets that hold the control stick in place were broken during the hard landing resulting in a total loss of directional control of the flight control system. Review of aircraft records revealed the airplane was operating without an annual inspection. The airplane had not been registered and did not have an airworthiness certificate. In addition the pilot was operating the airplane without a current biennial flight review. ## Aircraft - Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Pioneer 85 - Category: Ultralight, amateur-built - Serial number: DS 1000 - Engines: Rotax 582 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Benjamin Brown - Registered owner: Miguel A Rivera - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Limited (Special); Standard, Normal - Departed: MAZ, Mayaguez, PR - Destination: Lajas, PR - Airport: Lajas Agricultural Airport, runway 090, 1,500 × 40 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 255 total, 2 in this make and model, 125 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: JMZ From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.