# NTSB ERA09CA219: Parks Jerry R Lancair, N320J, Milton, FL, March 28, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 28, 2009, 16:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Milton, FL
- Coordinates: 30.637777, -86.993614 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6378&lon=-86.9936&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73565
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA219
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73565/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA219

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during landing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Parks Jerry R LANCAIR 0 320, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05612LU), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Parks Jerry R LANCAIR 0 320, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=05612LU), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Parks Jerry R LANCAIR 0 320, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=05612LU), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Parks Jerry R LANCAIR 0 320, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=05612LU), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Parks Jerry R LANCAIR 0 320, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05612LU), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)

## Analysis

Following a local flight, the pilot attempted to land on runway 18. The pilot reported that, approximately 10 feet above the runway, a gust of wind caused the right wing to rise "about 30 degrees from level." Even though the pilot added power, "and put the ailerons and rudder full right," the airplane "did not respond" and veered to the left. The airplane impacted the ground to the left of the runway, substantially damaging the wings, tail, fuselage, and engine. The pilot sustained minor injury. The airport had an automated surface observing system (ASOS); however, it did not have the ability to record weather observations. The pilot stated that the ASOS reported "windshear" before his departure and that the winds were from 210 degrees at 10 knots with gusts to 25 knots. The reported weather at nearby airports included gusty winds from the southwest, between 9 and 24 knots, before and after the accident. One of these airports reported a peak wind of 28 knots from 240 degrees approximately 4 minutes after the accident. The pilot reported that the pilot's operating handbook for the airplane stated that the maximum demonstrated crosswind was "20 knots."

## Factual narrative

Following a local, 30 minute, flight, the certificated private pilot attempted to land on runway 18. The pilot reported that approximately 10 feet above the runway, a gust of wind caused the right wing to rise "about 30 degrees from level." Even though the pilot added power, "and put the ailerons and rudder full right," the airplane "did not respond" and veered to the left. The airplane impacted the ground to the left of the runway, substantially damaging the wings, tail, fuselage, and engine. The pilot sustained minor injury. The airport had an automated surface observing system (ASOS); however, it did not have the ability to record weather observations. The pilot stated that the ASOS reported "windshear" before his departure and that the winds were from 210 degrees at 10 knots with gusts to 25 knots. The reported weather at nearby airports included gusty winds from the southwest, between 9 and 24 knots, before and after the accident. One of these airports reported a peak wind of 28 knots from 240 degrees approximately 4 minutes after the accident. The pilot reported that the pilot's operating handbook for the airplane stated that the maximum demonstrated crosswind was "20 knots."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N320J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N320J-2009-09-17), registration cancelled 2009-09-17, S/N JP1987, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PARKS JERRY R LANCAIR (235/320)
- Registry model: [Parks Jerry R LANCAIR 0 320](https://openairdocs.org/model/parks-jerry-r-lancair-0-320) (registry code 05612LU) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: JP1987
- Airframe hours: 1723
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, September 11, 2008
- Departed: 2R4, Milton, FL
- Destination: 2R4, Milton, FL
- Airport: 2R4, Peter Prince Field Airport, runway 18, 3,701 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 79; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 5, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 1,723 total, 588 in this make and model, 1,526 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 242° at 28 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: NSE, 5 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 20090328005819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090328005819A), Mar 28, 2009: Amtr LANCAIR320, Milton, FL, Destroyed. (-23) On March 28, 2009, at Peter Prince airport (2R4), in Milton, FL. Pilot attempted to land with gusty winds on runway 18. Witness stated that during…

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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