# NTSB DEN07CA123: Horton Aviat ChristEagle II, N28TH, Salida, CO, July 24, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 24, 2007, 08:08 local (14:08 UTC)
- Place: Salida, CO
- Coordinates: 38.538055, -106.048614
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5381&lon=-106.0486&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 30, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66295
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN07CA123
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66295/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN07CA123

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the landing, causing the airplane to depart the runway and impact the VASIs.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - vasi light/system

## Analysis

According to the pilot, during the landing flare, he encountered a "sink rate higher than desired." He stated that he was just left of the runway centerline. As the airplane contacted the ground, he initiated a go around. The pilot stated that he "added insufficient right rudder" after power was added. The airplane departed the runway surface and impacted the runway VASI system lights, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane or its control systems.

## Factual narrative

According to Aircraft Accident Report Form submitted by the pilot, he was landing on runway 24 (7,347 feet by 75 feet, asphalt). During the landing flare, he encountered a "sink rate higher than desired." He stated that he was just left of the runway centerline, and as the airplane contacted the ground, he initiated a go around. The pilot stated that he "added insufficient right rudder" after power was added, and the airplane departed the runway surface and impacted the runway VASI system lights. Approximately 4 feet of the lower outboard, right wing separated from the airplane. The left main landing gear was bent aft slightly and bowed inboard at the wheel assembly. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane or its control systems.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N28TH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N28TH-2010-02-25), registration cancelled 2010-02-25, S/N 6628, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Horton Aviat ChristEagle II
- Registry model: [Horton Terry D AVIAT EAGLE II](https://openairdocs.org/model/horton-terry-d-aviat-eagle-ii) (registry code 05617ZR) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-360-A1E6](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-360-a1e6) (registry code 41852, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 6628
- Airframe hours: 37
- Engines: Lycoming AEIO-360-A1E6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2006
- Departed: ANK, Salida, CO
- Destination: ANK, Salida, CO
- Airport: ANK, Harriet Alexander Field, runway 24, 7,347 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2005; seat: rear; flight hours: 12,000 total, 60 in this make and model, 9,000 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.73 inHg
- Observed at: MYP

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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