# NTSB CEN16LA153: Gill Craig Lancair IV P Propjet, N992BC, Addison, TX, April 1, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 1, 2016, 17:20 local (22:20 UTC) - Place: Addison, TX - Coordinates: 32.968612, -96.836387 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9686&lon=-96.8364&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 18, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards - NTSB case key (mKey): 93022 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN16LA153 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93022/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93022 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA153 ## Probable cause Collapse of the nose landing gear during landing for reasons that could not be determined, because postaccident examination did not detect any anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: nose/tail landing gear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Gill Craig LANCAIR IV-P PROPJET, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220/cases.md?model=05622VR), [All aircraft, 185 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Gill Craig LANCAIR IV-P PROPJET, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=05622VR), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/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: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) (defining event); cases with it: [Gill Craig LANCAIR IV-P PROPJET, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=05622VR), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Gill Craig LANCAIR IV-P PROPJET, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05622VR), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The commercial pilot reported that, on his initial approach for landing in the experimental, amateur-built, turboprop-equipped airplane, a gust of wind caused the airplane to "balloon" and that he elected to execute a go-around. On the second approach, the airplane touched down "just left" of the runway centerline. However, when the pilot placed the propeller into beta, the nose landing gear collapsed. He was unable to maintain directional control, and the airplane subsequently departed the right side of the runway. He "felt a loud bang" after the airplane exited the runway pavement. Video footage depicted that the airplane initially touched down on the right main landing gear, followed by the left main landing gear. The right main wheel appeared to leave the pavement momentarily before settling back down. Shortly afterward, the nose landing gear collapsed. The airplane subsequently veered to the right and departed the runway pavement. The airplane continued to travel through the grass area adjacent to the runway and rotated abruptly to the right immediately before coming to rest. A postaccident examination of the airplane landing gear system did not identify any anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction. The nose landing gear strut, wheel assembly, support structure, and extension/retraction linkage appeared to be intact. In the absence of any confirmed failures related to the nose landing gear installation, the cause for the nose landing gear collapse could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On April 1, 2016, about 1720 central daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Gill Lancair IV-P Propjet airplane, N992BC, was substantially damaged during landing on runway 33 (7,203 feet by 100 feet, asphalt) when the nose landing gear collapsed resulting in a runway excursion at the Addison Airport (ADS), Addison, Texas. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to N992BC Properties LLC 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 operated on an instrument flight rules flight plan. The flight originated from the Georgetown Municipal Airport (GTU), Georgetown, Texas, about 0930.The pilot reported that on his initial approach to runway 33, a gusty wind condition caused the airplane to "balloon" on short final and he elected to execute a go-around. On the second approach, the airplane touched down "just left" of the runway centerline, about 1,000 feet from the approach threshold. However, when the pilot placed the propeller into beta, the nose landing gear collapsed. He was unable to maintain directional control and the airplane subsequently departed the right side of the runway. He "felt a loud bang" after the airplane had exited the runway pavement. He noted that the left landing gear strut had failed above the wheel and the strut dug into the ground before the airplane came to rest. Video footage from cameras positioned at the approach end of the runway was provided by airport management. The airplane initially touched down on the right main landing gear, followed by the left main landing gear. The right main wheel appeared to leave the pavement momentarily before settling back down. Shortly afterward, the nose landing gear collapsed. The airplane subsequently veered to the right and departed the runway pavement. The airplane continued to travel through the grass area adjacent to the runway and rotated abruptly to the right immediately before coming to rest. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors identified runway propeller strike and tire skid marks attributable to the accident airplane. A line of propeller strike marks began at the runway number markings, about 10 feet left of the centerline, and appeared to initially parallel the runway centerline. Small fiberglass fragments were located near the strike marks. Shortly afterward, the strike marks began tracking toward the right side of the runway. The strike marks were joined by a set of three tire skid marks. The center mark was defined by two uniform marks consistent with being formed by the edges of the tire. This mark was collocated with the propeller strike marks and was continuous until it reached the right side of the runway pavement. The left and right tire skid marks were also continuous to the edge of the runway pavement; however, they were lighter/more faint and narrower than the center skid mark. The skid markscontinued as ruts in the adjacent grass area and led to the accident site. A postaccident examination of the airplane landing gear system by FAA inspectors did not identify any anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction. The nose landing gear was collapsed/retracted. The left main landing gear strut had separated near the wheel assembly; the fracture surface appeared consistent with an overstress failure. The right main landing gear remained extended and appeared intact. The nose landing gear doors, lower engine cowling, and both wings were damaged. The nose landing gear strut, wheel assembly, support structure, extension/retraction linkage and hydraulic actuator appeared to be intact. The actuator did not exhibit any evidence of leakage. Normal extension and retraction of the nose landing gear is provided by a hydraulic actuator. Landing gear extension begins when the pilot moves the cockpit landing gear handle to the down position, which directs hydraulic fluid to the extension side of the actuators. A pressure switch is incorporated into the system in order to maintain hydraulic system pressure. Once the nose landing gear is fully extended, the over-center linkage is intended to react the operating loads and to keep the nose landing gear in the down position until retraction is commanded by the pilot. Within its capability, the hydraulic actuator will resist movement of the over-center linkage provided the hydraulic system is operating normally. The emergency extension gas strut will also provide this function, within the limits of its capability. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N992BC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N992BC-2017-03-30), registration cancelled 2017-03-30, S/N LIV-576-SFB-DO, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GILL CRAIG LANCAIR IV P PROPJET - Registry model: [Gill Craig LANCAIR IV-P PROPJET](https://openairdocs.org/model/gill-craig-lancair-iv-p-propjet) (registry code 05622VR) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Garrett TPE331-2](https://openairdocs.org/engine/garrett-tpe331-2) (registry code 29033, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: LIV-576-SFB-DO - Year built: 2007 - Airframe hours: 652 - Engines: GARRETT TPE331-2-201A 715 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, April 20, 2015, 80 hours before - Departed: GTU, Georgetown, TX - Destination: ADS, Addison, TX - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: ADS, Addison, runway 33, 7,203 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Auto-pilot, Electronic primary flight display, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Satellite tracking device, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 2, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 4,048 total, 523 in this make and model, 3,822 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 8 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 13 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: ADS ## 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 20160401003269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160401003269A), Apr 1, 2016: Gill Craig LANCAIR IV-P PROPJET, Addison, TX, Substantial damage. On April 1, 2016 at approximately 10:19 CDT a Lancair iv-p, N992BC, operated by [privacy data omitted] was involved in an accident during the landing phase on… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 15, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93022. 17.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446408&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 249 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446409&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector Statements (item 3, .PDF, 73 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446410&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statements-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 4, .PDF, 9.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446411&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-Master.PDF - Runway Video -- East Looking North (item 5, AVI, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446412&FileExtension=avi&FileName=Runway%20Video%20--%20East%20Looking%20North-Master - Runway Video -- West Looking North (item 6, AVI, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446413&FileExtension=avi&FileName=Runway%20Video%20--%20West%20Looking%20North-Master 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.