# NTSB DEN99LA144: Coleman Lancair IV P, N124KM, Aspen, CO, August 12, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 12, 1999, 12:34 local (18:34 UTC) - Place: Aspen, CO - Coordinates: 37.349555, -108.57064 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3496&lon=-108.5706&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 13, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47276 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN99LA144 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47276/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA144 ## Probable cause A failure of the right landing gear's brake system. Factors were the improper touchdown point attained by the pilot, the existing weather conditions that included a tailwind and high density altitude, and the rocky ditch. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll - landing gear,normal brake system - failure,partial (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor) - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - go-around - not possible, pilot in command - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) - terrain condition - rock(s)/boulder(s) (contributing factor) - terrain condition - grass ## Analysis During the pilot's second landing attempt, the aircraft touched down near taxiway A2, 1,800 feet down the 7,004 foot runway. The airplane then failed to stop, and departed the end of the runway slightly left of the centerline into a grassy, rocky ditch. The pilot stated that after allowing the nose wheel to settle onto the runway, he applied brake pressure and the right brake appeared soft. He was not able to initiate a go-around due to the high density altitude (calculated to be 9,828 ft. mean sea level), and limited remaining runway. According to a mechanic employed at the airport, he observed a red fluid running down the right gear strut following the accident. A functional brake test of the right brake was performed, and it was confirmed that the right brake was 'soft.' The wind at the time the pilot landed was from 300 degrees at 10 knots. The airport normally directs traffic to land on runway 15 due to mountainous terrain, despite existing wind conditions. ## Factual narrative On August 12, 1999, at 1234 mountain daylight time, a Coleman Lancair IV P homebuilt, N124KM, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during landing roll at Aspen-Pitkin County/Sardy Field, Aspen, Colorado. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured. The personal cross-county flight was being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. No flight plan had been filed for the flight which originated from Goodland, Kansas, at 1145 central daylight time. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. According to several FAA Air Traffic Control (ATC) personnel, during the pilot's first attempt to land on runway 15 at Aspen, the aircraft's altitude was too high to successfully land. The pilot advised the tower that he needed to perform a go around to lose more altitude. During his second landing attempt, one controller noted the aircraft's ground speed to be 270 knots while on a 3 mile final. Several controllers observed N124KM touch down near taxiway A2 (see enclosed personnel statements), located approximately 1,800 feet from the beginning of the 7,004 foot runway, and then noticed that the aircraft failed to stop. They witnessed the airplane depart the end of the runway slightly left of the centerline into a grassy field. According to the pilot, he touched down at an indicated airspeed of 95 to 100 knots (normal landing speed for the Lancair IV P) and the wind at the time he landed was from 300 degrees at 10 knots. He rolled out with the nose up to bleed off airspeed. After letting the nose settle onto the runway, he applied brake pressure and noted that the right brake appeared "soft." He pumped the brake, but was unsuccessful in restoring pressure. He stated that he was not able to initiate a go-around due to the high density altitude (calculated to be 9,828 feet above mean sea level), and the limited remaining runway that was available. The airplane departed the runway overrun and went into a grassy ditch surrounded by rocks. The aircraft sustained damage to both wings, the nose wheel, and propeller. According to a mechanic employed with Aspen Base Operations, the local Fixed Base Operator at the airport, when he went to remove the aircraft from the field, he observed a red fluid running down the right gear strut attached to the fuselage. At this investigator's request, a second mechanic was asked to perform a functional brake test of the right brake. According to the second mechanic, the left pedal was "firm," and the right brake was "soft = no brake" (see enclosed statement). According to an FAA ATC manager employed at the Aspen airport, the primary landing runway used at Aspen is 15, despite existing wind conditions. This is primarily due to mountainous terrain conditions surrounding the airport and the sloping runway gradient. ## Aircraft - Registration: N124KM (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Coleman LANCAIR IV P (LANCAIR IV) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 141 - Airframe hours: 550 - Engines: Continental TSIO-550-B1B 350 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Keith L. Mullenger - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 5, 1999, 100 hours before - Departed: GLD, GOODLAND, KS - Destination: ASE - Airport: ASE, Aspen-Pitkin County, runway 15, 7,004 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 298 total, 158 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 19990812040459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990812040459A), Aug 12, 1999: Aspen, CO, No damage. (-23) Pilot indicated, during telephone conversation, that the descent for approach was so rapid that pressurization was not completed so he elected to execute… 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.