# NTSB CEN16LA017: Comp Air CA8, N224MS, Ray, MI, October 15, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 15, 2015, 18:10 local (22:10 UTC) - Place: Ray, MI - Coordinates: 42.736667, -82.888885 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7367&lon=-82.8889&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern base: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 4, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 92202 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN16LA017 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92202/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92202 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA017 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper use of the trim, which created a cross-controlled situation and resulted in an aerodynamic stall during the attempted go-around. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Plambeck Michael K CA 8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=05621T9), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Plambeck Michael K CA 8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05621T9), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Plambeck Michael K CA 8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=05621T9), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/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 base: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Plambeck Michael K CA 8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05621T9), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern base: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Plambeck Michael K CA 8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05621T9), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot reported that, while on a left downwind in the airport traffic pattern after conducting a cross-country business flight, he extended the flaps 10 degrees. While on short final, he fully extended the flaps, and shortly after, the left wing dropped. The pilot attempted to correct the left wing drop by applying right aileron and rudder; however, the airplane did not respond. The pilot chose to conduct a go-around and increased engine power. The airplane subsequently pitched up, and the left turn steepened. The pilot subsequently reduced engine power, and the airplane began to descend. The airplane struck the ground short of the runway, and the left wing separated from the fuselage. The examination of the airframe, flight controls, and engine revealed no preimpact mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Examination of the trim system revealed that the right aileron trim and the left rudder trim were in positions that would have resulted in a right turn and a left yaw. Further, a witness reported that the airplane appeared to be in a cross-controlled attitude while on final approach to the airport. It is likely that the pilot's improper use of the trim led to a cross-controlled situation and resulted in the subsequent stall during the attempted go-around. ## Factual narrative On October 15, 2015, about 1810 eastern daylight time, a Comp Air Inc. (Plambeck) CA8 experimental airplane, N224MS, was substantially damaged while landing at Ray Community Airport (57D), Ray, Michigan. The private pilot had minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The business flight was being conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. The cross country flight departed Anniston Regional Airport (KANB), Anniston, Alabama, about 1315 central daylight time and was en route to 57D. The pilot stated that while on a left downwind in the airport traffic pattern for runway 27, he extended 10 degrees of flaps. He completed a left base and extended full flaps while on a short final. Shortly after extending full flaps the left wing dropped. The pilot attempted to correct the left wing drop with right aileron and rudder; however, the airplane did not respond. The pilot elected to go around and increased engine power. The airplane pitched up and the left turn steepened. The pilot subsequently reduced engine power and with the resulting descent prepared for an impact with the ground. The airplane struck the ground short of the runway and the left wing separated from the fuselage. The pilot reported that the engine continued to run for about 15 minutes following the accident. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector who responded to the accident established that the flight controls were free and correct and the flaps were completely extended. Further review and examination of the trim system revealed that the right aileron trim and left rudder trim were in positions consistent with a right turn and a left yaw. The examination of the airframe, flight controls, engine, and remaining systems revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation prior to the accident. The inspector interviewed a flight instructor who witnessed the accident. This witness reported that the airplane appeared to be in a cross controlled attitude or a skid while on final approach to the airport. The witness confirmed that it sounded as though there were several power changes during the final approach. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N224MS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N224MS-2018-07-19), registration cancelled 2018-07-19, S/N 0652843, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Comp Air Inc. (Plambeck) CA8 - Registry model: [Plambeck Michael K CA 8](https://openairdocs.org/model/plambeck-michael-k-ca-8) (registry code 05621T9) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Walter 601D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/walter-601d) (registry code 64005, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 0652843 - Engines: Walter M601 EXP 657 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, November 9, 2014 - Departed: KANB, Anniston, AL - Destination: 57D, Ray, MI - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: 57D, Ray Community Airport, runway 27, 2,495 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 21, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 948 total, 49 in this make and model, 911 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 240° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 29.85 inHg - Observed at: KMTC, 8 nm away ## 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 20151015017319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20151015017319A), Oct 15, 2015: Plambeck Michael K CA 8, Ray Township, MI, Destroyed. Aircraft was inbound for runway 27 at 57D. Turned to left base applied 10% flaps and then turned left to final. Full flaps applied and left wing began to drop… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 22, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92202. 651 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 542 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436845&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Witness Statement (item 2, .PDF, 55 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436846&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - FAA (item 3, .PDF, 54 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436847&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20FAA-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.