# NTSB CEN09LA039: Chamberlin Victor Wayne Minimax, N8637L, Winnsboro, LA, October 27, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 26, 2008, 19:00 local (Oct 27, 2008, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Winnsboro, LA
- Coordinates: 32.13861, -91.692222 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1386&lon=-91.6922&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 22, 2010
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA Baton Rouge FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69364
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09LA039
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69364/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=69364
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA039

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from static wires while maneuvering to avoid another airplane.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Chamberlin Victor Wayne MINIMAX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=05604YI), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition; cases with it: [Chamberlin Victor Wayne MINIMAX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=05604YI), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Air traffic event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/100); cases with it: [Chamberlin Victor Wayne MINIMAX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/100/sequence.md?model=05604YI), [All aircraft, 115 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/100/sequence.md)
- [Approach-VFR go-around: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Chamberlin Victor Wayne MINIMAX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=05604YI), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md)

## Analysis

Following a local pleasure flight the pilot returned to the airport in preparation for a night landing. While approaching the airport he observed another airplane maneuvering around the airport but was unsure of the other pilot’s intentions. Following a pattern entry on the downwind leg and a short base leg the pilot turned onto final approach. Moments later the pilot observed the other airplane also on final approach. While maneuvering in an attempt to avoid the other airplane, the accident airplane impacted static wires and subsequently the ground. The airplane came to rest in an inverted position and the pilot was able to exit unassisted. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane’s flight controls. In addition, he reported that he had not been using an aircraft radio at the time of the accident. The Safety Board's Investigator-In-Charge repeatedly attempted to contact the pilot of the other airplane to no avail.

## Factual narrative

On October 26, 2008, approximately 1900 central daylight time (CDT), a Chamberlin Victor Wayne Minimax, experimental light sport airplane, N8637L, was substantially damaged during impact with static wires while maneuvering for landing at the Winnsboro Municipal Airport (F89), Winnsboro, Louisiana. The private pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. The airplane was registered to, and operated by the pilot. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, following a local pleasure flight he returned to the airport in preparation for a night landing. While approaching the airport he observed another airplane maneuvering around the airport, but was unsure of the other pilot’s intentions. Following a pattern entry on the downwind leg and a short base leg the pilot turned onto final approach. Moments later the pilot observed the other airplane also on final approach approximately 150 feet to his right and 50 feet above him. While maneuvering in an attempt to avoid the other airplane, the accident airplane impacted static wires and subsequently the ground. The airplane came to rest in an inverted position and the pilot was able to exit unassisted. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane’s flight controls, and that he had not been using an aircraft radio at the time of the accident. The pilot further reported that his last bi-annual flight review and the airplane’s last condition inspection were performed in the year 2000. The Investigator-In-Charge (IIC) repeatedly attempted to contact the pilot of the other airplane to no avail.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8637L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8637L-2013-07-03), registration cancelled 2013-07-03, S/N 001, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMBERLIN VICTOR WAYNE MINIMAX
- Registry model: [Chamberlin Victor Wayne MINIMAX](https://openairdocs.org/model/chamberlin-victor-wayne-minimax) (registry code 05604YI) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 001
- Airframe hours: 150
- Engines: ROTAX 503 45 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 2000
- Departed: F89, Winnsboro, LA
- Destination: F89, Winnsboro, LA
- Airport: f86, Winnsboro Municipal Airport, runway 36, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review December 31, 2000; seat: single; flight hours: 1,500 total, 40 in this make and model, 750 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observed at: KMLU, 27 nm away

## Docket (8 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 10, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=69364. 1.6 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40325341&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Map 1 - Pilots Hand Drawn Map of Flight Path (item 2, .PDF, 84 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40325335&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Map%201%20-%20Pilots%20Hand%20Drawn%20Map%20of%20Flight%20Path-Master.PDF
- Map 2 (item 3, .PDF, 173 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40325336&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Map%202-Master.PDF
- Weather Reports and Records (item 4, .PDF, 21 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40325337&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF
- Photo 1 - Pre-crash photo (item 5, .PDF, 47 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40325338&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Pre-crash%20photo-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 (item 6, .PDF, 55 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40325339&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202-Master.PDF
- Photo 3 (item 7, .PDF, 45 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40325340&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203-Master.PDF
- Reports from Local Agencies - 911 Call Sheet (item 8, .PDF, 35 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40325342&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Local%20Agencies%20-%20911%20Call%20Sheet-Master.PDF

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.

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