# NTSB CEN21LA129: Columbia Aircraft Mfg LC42-550FG, N115FP, Larned, KS, February 5, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: February 5, 2021, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Larned, KS · Pawnee County Airport (LQR) - Coordinates: 38.1806, -99.0987 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1806&lon=-99.0987&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO, Cessna - NTSB case key (mKey): 102635 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN21LA129 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102635/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102635 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA129 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to allow sufficient time for the brakes to cool after a previous aborted takeoff, resulting in a runway excursion during a second aborted takeoff due to degraded braking performance. Contributing to the accident was the contact of the hot brakes with a dry grassy area during the second aborted takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Columbia Aircraft Mfg LC42-550FG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=5150012), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Columbia Aircraft Mfg LC42-550FG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=5150012), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150) (defining event); cases with it: [Columbia Aircraft Mfg LC42-550FG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md?model=5150012), [All aircraft, 504 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot attempted two consecutive takeoffs from opposite runways. Both takeoffs were aborted because the airplane would not lift off from the runway. The pilot reported that the engine and flight controls were operating normally during both takeoff attempts. During the second aborted takeoff, the pilot reported that the brakes “faded,” and the airplane departed the end of the runway and entered a dry grassy area. The pilot then noticed that the left and right main landing gear were on fire; the fire resulted in structural damage to the left wing. Postaccident examination of the wheel and brake assemblies revealed no mechanical anomalies. Flight control continuity was established from the cockpit to all flight control surfaces, and the airplane was under its maximum gross takeoff weight. Thus, the reason that the airplane did not lift off during the pilot’s two attempted takeoffs could not be determined from the available evidence for this accident. The fire appeared to originate from the wheel brakes. The time between the two attempted takeoffs was about 15 minutes. The pilot reported that he applied intermittent braking during the first aborted takeoffs. Thus, the brakes likely faded during the second aborted takeoff because they were hot from the consecutive aborted takeoffs and did not have enough time to cool. The fire was most likely caused by the hot wheel brakes entering a dry grassy area after the runway excursion. ## Factual narrative On February 5, 2021, about 1445 central standard time, a Columbia LC42-550FG airplane, N115FP, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Pawnee County Airport (LQR), Larned, Kansas. The private pilot and the pilot-rated passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. After conducting a preflight check, the pilot (who was the owner of the airplane) started the engine about 1415, taxied on the airplane to runway 35, and began the takeoff about 1430. After the airplane reached liftoff speed, the pilot felt a “strong” gust of wind and sensed a “stickiness of the plane on the runway.” The pilot stated that this situation was “not normal” and unlike anything that he had experienced while operating the airplane. The pilot decided to abort the takeoff with intermittent braking and reduce thrust to idle. After the aborted takeoff, the pilot taxied the airplane to the runup area for runway 17 and checked the airplane’s flight controls and systems. The pilot reported that “everything inside the cockpit, and what I could see outside appeared and felt normal.” About 1445, the pilot began a takeoff roll on runway 17. The pilot noticed that the airplane was again “sticking to the runway,” so he decided to abort the takeoff. He applied intermittent braking and stated that, about 10 to 20 yards from the departure end of runway 17, the brakes “faded.” The airplane then rolled into a dry grassy area south of the runway. The airplane came to a stop, and the pilot smelled and saw smoke rising behind the right wing. The pilot advanced the throttle enough to move the airplane into a field beyond the runway and shut down the engine. The pilot exited the airplane and saw that the left and right main landing gear were on fire. The passenger then exited the airplane, and the pilot used onboard fire extinguishers to try to contain the fire. Fire trucks arrived and extinguished the fire on the airplane and the nearby grass. The pilot reported that the engine and flight controls were operating normally during both takeoff attempts. The airplane came to rest on a 156º magnetic heading about 250 ft southeast of the end of runway 17. Both main landing gear wheel assemblies, brakes, wheel pants, strut coverings, and brake lines sustained severe fire damage. The underside of the left wing and fuselage were scorched, as shown in the figure below, resulting in structural damage to the left wing. Figure. Fire damage to the main wheel assemblies and underside of the left wing (Source: Federal Aviation Administration). Detailed examination of the airplane showed that both main landing gear brake and wheel assemblies had severe fire damage. The fire appeared to originate from the wheel brakes. Both brake and wheel assemblies were examined and found to be mechanically intact with no anomalies (other than the severe fire damage). The parking brake was not engaged. Flight control continuity wasconfirmed from the cockpit to all flight control surfaces. The airplane was determined to be under its maximum gross takeoff weight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N115FP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N115FP), registered now, S/N 42552, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: COLUMBIA AIRCRAFT MFG LC42-550FG - Registry model: [Columbia Aircraft Mfg LC42-550FG](https://openairdocs.org/model/columbia-aircraft-mfg-lc42-550fg) (registry code 5150012) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-550-N](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-550-n) (registry code 17215, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 42552 - Year built: 2007 - Airframe hours: 978 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO-550-N 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 31, 2020 - Destination: GCK, Garden City, KS - Airport: LQR, Pawnee County Airport, runway 17, 4,201 × 75 ft - Equipment: ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Electronic multifunction display, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 77; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,200 total, 978 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 14 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: KGBD, 15 nm away - METAR: KGBD 051756Z AUTO 29014KT 10SM CLR 08/M06 A2990 RMK AO2 SLP137 6//// T00831061 10089 21044 58007 PNO $ ## 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 20210205003459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210205003459A), Feb 5, 2021: Columbia Aircraft Mfg LC42-550FG, Larned, KS, Substantial damage. The pilot described how on takeoff at lqr on runway 35, he was experiencing a cross wind of 13 to 19 mph with higher gusts from the west. The temperature was… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 7, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102635. 1.5 MB in all. - Memorandum for the record pilot statement summary CEN21LA129 (item 1, PDF, 2 pages, 126 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15050450&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20the%20Record%20Pilot%20Statement%20Summary%20CEN21LA129_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for the record airframe and accident site and brake examination findings CEN21LA129 (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 139 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15050095&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20the%20Record%20Airframe%20and%20Accident%20Site%20and%20Brake%20Examination%20Findings%20CEN21LA129_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array CEN21LA129 (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 860 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15049298&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20CEN21LA129-Rel.pdf - Certificate of party representative Cessna CEN21LA129 (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 375 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15050242&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Certificate%20of%20Party%20Representative%20Cessna%20CEN21LA129_Redacted-Rel.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.