# NTSB CHI93LA071: Don Showalter Lancair 320, N18M, Madison, WI, January 14, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 14, 1993, 14:05 local (20:05 UTC)
- Place: Madison, WI
- Coordinates: 43.140727, -89.350387 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1407&lon=-89.3504&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15650
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA071
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15650/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA071

## Probable cause

A JAMMED MAIN LANDING GEAR BRAKE.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - landing gear,normal brake system - jammed (cause)
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - snowbank

## Analysis

THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A SNOWBANK AFTER LOSING DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING A LANDING ROLL.  A POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR BRAKE ASSEMBLY PACKED WITH SNOW AND ICE.  AFTER THE SNOW AND ICE WAS REMOVED THE WHEEL TURNED FREELY.  THE AIRPLANE HAD DEPARTED FROM A SNOW COVERED RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N18M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N18M-2025-04-30), registration cancelled 2025-04-30, S/N 001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DON SHOWALTER LANCAIR 320 (LANCAIR 32)
- Registry model: [Showalter Don LANCAIR 320](https://openairdocs.org/model/showalter-don-lancair-320) (registry code 0561846) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 001
- Airframe hours: 130
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Donald F. Showalter
- Registered owner: Donald F. Showalter
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 24, 1992, 50 hours before
- Departed: INL, INT. FALLS, MN
- Airport: MSN, Dane County Regional, runway 22, 4,699 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,369 total, 131 in this make and model, 2,300 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSN, 1 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 19930114000349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930114000349A), Jan 14, 1993: Amtr LANCAIR, Madison, WI, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on landing. Veered into snowbank edge of runway. Ice and snow from runway, jammed a wheel.

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.

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