# NTSB CHI93LA377: Lanceair 235M, N12TN, Rockford, IL, September 22, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 22, 1993, 16:05 local (21:05 UTC)
- Place: Rockford, IL
- Coordinates: 42.349086, -89.150329 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3491&lon=-89.1503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 25, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9328
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA377
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9328/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA377

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND DELAYED ABORTING THE LANDING. FACTORS WERE A WET RUNWAY AND THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S LACK OF RECENT EXPERIENCE IN THIS TYPE OF AIRPLANE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - aborted
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - aborted landing - delayed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND WAS CONDUCTING HIS FIRST FLIGHT IN FIVE MONTHS IN THE AMATEUR BUILT AIRPLANE.  DURING A LANDING ON WET TURF, THE AIRPLANE DID NOT RESPOND TO BRAKING AND THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO ABORT THE LANDING.  DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB THE LANDING GEAR IMPACTED AN EMBANKMENT AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY AND SLID TO A STOP.

## Factual narrative

On September 22, 1993, at 1605 central daylight time, an amateur built Lanceair 235M, N12TN, registered to Tito Nappi of Ft. Myers, Florida, and operated by a private rated pilot, experienced an impact with a dirt bank at the departure end of runway 18 (2,540' x 260' turf) at Cottonwood Airport in Rockford, Illinois, during an aborted landing.  The airplane sustained substantial damage.  The pilot reported no injuries.  The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions.  No flight plan was on file.  The flight departed Janesville, Wisconsin, at 1550.

The pilot stated that this was the first flight of the airplane by him in five months.  He stated that during the landing the airplane seemdd to float longer than normal and after touchdown the application of brakes were not effective on the wet grass.  He attempted to about the landing; however, during the initial climb the landing gear struck a dirt embankment at the end of the runway, and the airplane slid to a stop.  The pilot stated during a face to face interview that he could have avoided the accident if, "I should have made a decision to go around sooner."

## Aircraft

- Registration: N12TN (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: LANCEAIR 235M
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 117
- Airframe hours: 46
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320-B1C 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Nappi, Tito C.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, September 4, 1992, 13 hours before
- Departed: JVL, JANESVILLE, WI
- Airport: 1C8, Cottonwood, runway 18, 2,540 × 260 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RFD, 6 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 19930922035849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930922035849A), Sep 22, 1993: Amtrnc 235LANCAIR, Rockford, IL, Substantial damage. Floated on landing. Unable to stop on wet grass. Began late go around. Gear struck embankment off end of runway.

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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