# NTSB CEN14LA493: Davis Benny Christen Eagle II, N229HP, Vinton, IA, September 3, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 3, 2014, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Vinton, IA - Coordinates: 42.218612, -92.025833 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2186&lon=-92.0258&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 11, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA -- Des Moines Flight Standards - NTSB case key (mKey): 90056 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14LA493 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90056/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90056 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA493 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of directional control during landing after the airplane encountered uneven pavement at the intersection with a crossing runway. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Davis Benny CHRISTEN EAGLE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05658WE), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Davis Benny CHRISTEN EAGLE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05658WE), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Airport facilities/design: runway/landing area condition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017035): Environmental issues › Operating environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Davis Benny CHRISTEN EAGLE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017035/cases.md?model=05658WE), [All aircraft, 61 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Davis Benny CHRISTEN EAGLE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05658WE), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Davis Benny CHRISTEN EAGLE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05658WE), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Davis Benny CHRISTEN EAGLE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=05658WE), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis 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. ## Factual 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 runwayhas 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N229HP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N229HP), registered now, S/N CE101, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DAVIS BENNY CHRISTEN EAGLE II - Registry model: [Davis Benny CHRISTEN EAGLE II](https://openairdocs.org/model/davis-benny-christen-eagle-ii) (registry code 05658WE) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-360-series) (registry code 41522, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: CE101 - Year built: 1990 - Airframe hours: 664 - Engines: Lycoming AEIO-360-B1G6 212 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, February 7, 2014, 65 hours before - Departed: JOT, Joliet, IL - Destination: VTI, Vinton, IA - Airport: VTI, Vinton Veterans Memorial, runway 16, 2,500 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 20, 2014; seat: rear; flight hours: 793 total, 68 in this make and model, 732 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: VTI ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20140903017239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140903017239A), Sep 3, 2014: Davis Benny CHRISTEN EAGLE II, Vinton, IA, Substantial damage. Pilot executed normal approach to rwy 16 and touched down just before the intersection of crossing rwy 27. There is a dip at this intersection which sent the… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 12, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90056. 3.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418907&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot of Incident Airplane (item 2, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419105&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot%20of%20Incident%20Airplane-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - Local Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418909&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Local%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - Local Pilot (item 4, .PDF, 50 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418910&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Local%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - Airport Commission Member (item 5, .PDF, 50 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418911&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Airport%20Commission%20Member-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - City Administrator (item 6, .PDF, 50 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418912&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20City%20Administrator-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - Civil Engineer (item 7, .PDF, 50 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418913&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Civil%20Engineer-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. --- 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.