# NTSB DFW08IA126: 2007 Savage Air Epic LT, N603JS, Uvalde, TX, May 1, 2008 - Type: NTSB incident investigation - Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report - Date: May 1, 2008, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Uvalde, TX - Coordinates: 29.209289, -99.780189 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.2093&lon=-99.7802&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi-from runway: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Flight Standards Disctrict Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 67929 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW08IA126 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67929/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08IA126 ## Probable cause The pilot's excessive speed during a turn off the active runway to the taxiway which exceeded the lateral limits of the supporting landing gear structure resulting in the collapse of the left main gear. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: main landing gear attach sec](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023211): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure; cases with it: [Savage Air EPIC LT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023211/cases.md?model=05625BO), [All aircraft, 66 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023211/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: surface speed/braking](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Savage Air EPIC LT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=05625BO), [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi-from runway: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) (defining event); cases with it: [Savage Air EPIC LT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=05625BO), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot completed an uneventful normal landing after an approximate 45 minute instrument flight rules cross country flight. While making a right turn to clear the runway the left main landing gear collapsed. An on scene investigation was conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration Air Safety Inspector and it was determined that the damage to the landing gear and supporting structure was minor. There was minimal surface damage to the wings and flight control surfaces. Tire skid marks that matched the width of the main gear and followed the path of the airplane was consistent with initiating a turn at high speed. The pilot and his three passengers were not injured and exited the airplane unassisted. ## Factual narrative The pilot completed an uneventful normal landing after an approximate 45 minute instrument flight rules cross country flight. While making a right turn to clear the runway the left main landing gear collapsed. An on scene investigation was conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration Air Safety Inspector and it was determined that the damage to the landing gear and supporting structure was minor. There was minimal surface damage to the wings and flight control surfaces. Tire skid marks that matched the width of the main gear and followed the path of the airplane was consistent with initiating a turn at high speed. The pilot and his three passengers were not injured and exited the airplane unassisted. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N603JS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N603JS-2018-02-05), registration cancelled 2018-02-05, S/N 015, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: 2007 Savage Air LLC EPIC LT - Registry model: [Savage Air EPIC LT](https://openairdocs.org/model/savage-air-epic-lt) (registry code 05625BO) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-67a) (registry code 52207, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 015 - Airframe hours: 77 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67A 1200 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Savage Air, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special); Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Unknown, March 1, 2008 - Departed: RYW, Largo Vista, TX - Destination: UVA, Uvalde, TX - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: KUVA, Garner Field Airport, runway 15, 5,255 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 1,225 total, 41 in this make and model, 1,085 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.62 inHg - Observed at: KUVA ## 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 20080501836029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080501836029A), May 1, 2008: Savage EPICLT, Uvalde, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On may 1, 2008 at 1520 hrs local, a single engine aircraft manufactured by epic aircraft co registration no. N603JS with 3 passengers and 1 pilot aboard… ## Other investigations on N603JS (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 CEN12FA561](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12FA561), Aug 4, 2012: Savage Air Epic LT (N603JS), San Saba, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The improper installation of flexible fuel lines, which resulted in a partial collapse of the inner wall of the fuel lines and a subsequent a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. 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.