# NTSB CHI03LA116: Walker Lancair IV, N7441W, Wamego, KS, April 26, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 26, 2003, 12:05 local (17:05 UTC) - Place: Wamego, KS - Coordinates: 39.197223, -96.258888 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1972&lon=-96.2589&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Adminisration - Wichita FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 56944 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA116 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56944/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA116 ## Probable cause The pilot not maintaining altitude/clearance from the runway while maneuvering on final approach. A factor to the accident was the pilot's misjudgment of his altitude while on final approach. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The airplane impacted the runway while performing an S-turn maneuver while landing. The pilot reported he was following another airplane on final approach to runway 17 and had to perform S-turns to increase spacing. He noted that runway 17 was narrower than he was accustomed to, and the perceived aircraft altitude was higher than it actually was. The pilot reported there was no mechanical malfunction or failure. ## Factual narrative On April 26, 2003, at 1205 central daylight time, an amateur-built Walker Lancair IV, N7441W, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during an in-flight collision with runway 17 (3,184 feet by 45 feet, dry/asphalt) while landing at the Wamego Municipal Airport, Wamego, Kansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot and his passenger reported no injuries. The flight departed Clay Center Municipal Airport, Clay Center, Kansas, at 1145. The pilot reported he was following another airplane on final approach to runway 17 and had to perform S-turns to increase spacing. The pilot stated the airplane impacted the runway while performing a S-turn maneuver. The pilot noted runway 17 was narrower than he was accustomed to. He stated the perceived aircraft altitude was higher than it actually was. The pilot reported, on the NTSB accident form, there was no mechanical malfunction or failure. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7441W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7441W-2013-08-14), registration cancelled 2013-08-14, S/N LIV-076, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Walker Lancair IV - Registry model: [Walker David S LANCAIR IV](https://openairdocs.org/model/walker-david-s-lancair-iv) (registry code 05601FU) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-550 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-550-series) (registry code 17042, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: LIV076 - Airframe hours: 90 - Engines: Continental TSIO-550-B 350 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Crest Quarry Properties, INC. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 20, 2002, 50 hours before - Departed: CYW, Clay Center, KS - Destination: 69K, Wamego, KS - Airport: 69K, Wamego Municipal Airport, runway 17, 3,184 × 45 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review June 21, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 2,380 total, 90 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: 170° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: MHK, 19 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 20030426009759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030426009759A), Apr 26, 2003: Amtr LANCAIRIV, Wamego, KS, Substantial damage. (-23) Single engine airplane was too slow on final approach and developed a high sink rate, which resulted in aircraft making a hard landing. The first impact… ## Other investigations on N7441W (1) 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. - [NTSB DEN07LA133](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN07LA133), Aug 1, 2007: Walker Lancair IV (N7441W), Sylvan Grove, KS, substantial damage. Probable cause: A catastrophic engine failure due to oil starvation when an oil line to the turbocharger wastegate actuator came loose. Contributing factors in this accident were the unsuitable terrain on which to… 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.