# NTSB DFW06LA097: Rocket Flyers Turbine Legend, N724TL, Hammond, LA, April 7, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 7, 2006, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Hammond, LA - Coordinates: 30.521389, -90.418334 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5214&lon=-90.4183&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report October 3, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 63458 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW06LA097 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63458/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW06LA097 ## Probable cause The reported loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach - gear extension - not successful, pilot in command - Loss of engine power, approach - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing - Hard landing, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The single-engine turbo-prop powered experimental airplane experienced a hard landing during a forced landing following a reported loss of engine power. While approaching to land, the airplane's nose landing gear would not extend. The 23,240-hour airline transport rated pilot departed the traffic pattern and repeatedly attempted to extend the nose landing gear to no avail. The pilot then elected to return to the airport with the intention of touching down on the airplane's main landing gear in an attempt to jar the nose landing gear down. While on final approach, at an altitude of 100 to 200 feet above ground level (AGL), the engine reportedly lost complete power. The pilot elected to execute a forced landing to a field short of the airport. The reason for the reported loss of engine power and failure of the nose landing gear to extend could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On April 7, 2006, about 1500 central daylight time, a single-engine Rocket Flyers Turbine Legend turbo-prop experimental airplane, N724TL, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power while on final approach to the Hammond Regional Airport (HDC), near Hammond, Louisiana. The airline transport rated pilot, sole occupant of the experimental airplane, was seriously injured. The airplane was registered to Rocket Flyers LLC and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The cross-country flight originated from the DeLand Municipal Airport (DED), near DeLand, Florida, with Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), near Austin, Texas, as the final destination. According to the 23,240-hour pilot, while approaching HDC to land, the airplane's nose landing gear would not extend. The pilot departed the traffic pattern to attempt to extend the nose landing gear to no avail. The pilot then elected to return to the airport with the intention of touching down on the airplane's main landing gear in an attempt "to jar the nose landing gear down." While on final approach for Runway 18, while at 100 to 200 feet above ground level (AGL), the engine reportedly lost complete power. The pilot elected to land in an open field short of the airport. The airplane landed hard before coming to rest in an upright position. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector responded to the accident site and reported that the airplane's lower fuselage and wings sustained structural damage. According to the inspector, the reason for the reported loss of engine power could not be determined. The airplane was powered by a single 725-horsepower Walter 601D engine. The pilot further reported that maintenance personnel had reinstalled the cowling prior to the accident flight. He suspected that the cowling was installed incorrectly which resulted in the failure of the nose landing gear to extend. When asked how this accident could have been prevented, the pilot stated that "one would consider a more thorough pre-flight." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N724TL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N724TL-2009-04-01), registration cancelled 2009-04-01, S/N 7 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Rocket Flyers Turbine Legend - Registry model: [Willis T/Rocket Flyers TURBINE LEGEND](https://openairdocs.org/model/willis-t-rocket-flyers-turbine-legend) (registry code 056153W) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 7 - Airframe hours: 120 - Engines: Walter 601D 725 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Rocket Flyers LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, April 1, 2006 - Departed: DED, DELAND, FL - Destination: HDC, HAMMOND, LA - Airport: HDC, Hammond Northshore Regional, runway 18, 5,001 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: serious; airline transport, flight engineer, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2006; seat: front; flight hours: 23,240 total, 120 in this make and model, 14,000 as pilot in command, 210 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 15 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.78 inHg - Observed at: KHDC, 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 20060407008089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060407008089A), Apr 7, 2006: Amtr TURBINLEGEND, Hammond, LA, Substantial damage. (-23) Following failed inflight attempt to extend the nose landing gear, the pilot set up for a nose gear retracted landing. During final approach, the engine… ## Other investigations on N724TL (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 LAX04LA204](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA204), May 7, 2004: Rocket Flyers LLC (N724TL), Tipton, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of air migrating into the fuel control unit. The ultimate reason for the air entry into the fuel control unit was not determined. 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.