# NTSB ERA09CA463: American Legend AL3C, N3737G, Warrenton, VA, August 15, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 15, 2009, 12:04 local (16:04 UTC)
- Place: Warrenton, VA
- Coordinates: 38.584999, -77.70639 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5850&lon=-77.7064&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 74524
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA463
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74524/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74524
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA463

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper application of brakes during the landing rollout.

## 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: [American Legend AL3C-100, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0600009), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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: [American Legend AL3C-100, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=0600009), [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.

- [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [American Legend AL3C-100, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0600009), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [American Legend AL3C-100, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=0600009), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the pilot of the tailwheel airplane, during the landing rollout, he applied "too much braking pressure" in an attempt to exit the runway at the closest taxiway. The pilot also stated that he felt the tail of the airplane "rise up," but did not release the brakes soon enough to keep the airplane from nosing over. When the airplane was subsequently examined, substantial damage was noted to the rudder and right wing. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies. Winds at the accident airport about the time of the accident were reported as calm. In the block listed under the section entitled “Recommendations” in the NTSB’s 6120.1 Pilot/Operator Accident/Incident Report form, the pilot stated the following in writing: “Not reacting soon enough when the [aircraft] became unstable (tail light) was the primary cause of the accident, and poor judgment, or just allowing the landing roll to play out would have avoided the accident.”

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot of the tailwheel airplane, during the landing rollout, he applied "too much braking pressure" in an attempt to exit the runway at the closest taxiway. The pilot also stated that he felt the tail of the airplane "rise up," but did not release the brakes soon enough to keep the airplane from nosing over. When the airplane was subsequently examined, substantial damage was noted to the rudder and right wing. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies. Winds at the accident airport about the time of the accident were reported as calm. In the block listed under the section entitled “Recommendations” in the NTSB’s 6120.1 Pilot/Operator Accident/Incident Report form, the pilot stated the following in writing: “Not reacting soon enough when the [aircraft] became unstable (tail light) was the primary cause of the accident, and poor judgment, or just allowing the landing roll to play out would have avoided the accident.”

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3737G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3737G), registered now, S/N AL-1018 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: American Legend AL3C (100)
- Registry model: [American Legend AL3C-100](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-legend-al3c-100) (registry code 0600009) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AL1018
- Airframe hours: 61
- Engines: Continental O200-A66B 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lowell and Louise K. Livinghouse
- Registered owner: Lowell and Louise K. Livinghouse
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 22, 2009
- Departed: HWY, Warrenton, VA
- Destination: HWY, Warrenton, VA
- Airport: HWY, Warrenton-Fauquier Airport, runway 15, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 1, 2009; seat: front; flight hours: 128 total, 15 in this make and model, 96 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,600 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observed at: HWY

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 9, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74524. 512 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 512 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40318156&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF

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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