# NTSB ERA12CA564: Lancair LC42-550FG, N6512Y, Okeechobee, FL, September 16, 2012

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 16, 2012, 11:14 local (15:14 UTC)
- Place: Okeechobee, FL
- Coordinates: 27.259445, -80.85028 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.2594&lon=-80.8503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 85047
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA564
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85047/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85047
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA564

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.

## Findings

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

- [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Lancair LC42-550FG, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=5150002), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot; cases with it: [Lancair LC42-550FG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=5150002), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Lancair LC42-550FG, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5150002), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Lancair LC42-550FG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=5150002), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Lancair LC42-550FG, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5150002), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot/owner stated that he was conducting an experiment to see where on the runway the airplane would touch down using RNAV/GPS guidance. He said he became preoccupied with the instrumentation in the airplane, landed hard, and did not realize that he had done "serious damage" to the airplane. Examination of a video recording submitted by a witness revealed two high-speed, shallow approaches to the runway. On the first approach, the airplane traveled well past the normal touchdown zone at a high rate, touched down briefly, and then climbed back into the traffic pattern. On its second approach, the airplane crossed the runway threshold at a high rate of speed, a low altitude, and at a shallow approach angle. The airplane then struck the ground in a flat attitude, the nose landing gear separated from the airframe, and the propeller struck the runway. The airplane then pitched up, the engine noise increased, the tail struck the runway, and the airplane climbed at a shallow angle. The airplane subsequently collided with containers and vehicles in a commercial lot about one-half mile from the departure end of the runway. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot/owner stated that he was conducting an experiment to see where on the runway the airplane would touch down using RNAV/GPS guidance. He said he became preoccupied with the instrumentation in the airplane, landed hard, and did not realize that he had done "serious damage" to the airplane. Examination of a video recording submitted by a witness revealed two high-speed, shallow approaches to the runway. On the first approach, the airplane travelled well past the normal touchdown zone at a high rate, touched down briefly, and then climbed back into the traffic pattern. On its second approach, the airplane crossed the runway threshold at a high rate, low altitude, and at a shallow approach angle. The airplane then struck the ground in a flat attitude, the nose landing gear separated from the airframe, and the propeller struck the runway. The airplane then pitched up, the engine noise increased, the tail struck the runway, and the airplane climbed out of sight at a shallow angle. The airplane subsequently collided with containers and vehicles in a commercial lot approximately one-half mile from the departure end of the runway. In a telephone interview, when asked about the performance and handling of the airplane, the pilot said, "I cannot blame the accident on the airplane."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6512Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6512Y-2014-09-10), registration cancelled 2014-09-10, S/N 42016, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LANCAIR COMPANY LC42-550FG
- Registry model: [Lancair LC42-550FG](https://openairdocs.org/model/lancair-lc42-550fg) (registry code 5150002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-550 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-550-series) (registry code 17042, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 42016
- Airframe hours: 876
- Engines: CONT MOTOR IO-550 SERIES 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Global Governments Inc
- Registered owner: Global Governments Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 3, 2012
- Departed: F45, West Palm Beach, FL
- Destination: OBE, Okeechobee, FL
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: OBE, Okeechobee County, runway 14, 4,001 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 74; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 1,820 total, 1,145 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observed at: OBE, 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 20120916019669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120916019669A), Sep 16, 2012: Lancair Company LC42-550FG, Okeechobee, FL, Destroyed. While performing the last of a series of touch and go's the pilot bounced the aircraft on its nose, breaking off the nose tire and the propeller struck the…

## Docket (7 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 26, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85047. 5.1 MB in all.

- Memorandum of Record: Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 27 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378305&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%3A%20Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Pilot Interview Summary (item 2, .PDF, 25 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378307&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Interview%20Summary-Master.PDF
- Video of Accident Airplane (item 3, MOV, 3.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378070&FileExtension=mov&FileName=Video%20of%20Accident%20Airplane-Master
- Passenger and Witness Statements (item 4, .PDF, 56 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378312&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Passenger%20and%20Witness%20Statements-Redacted.PDF
- Maintenance Record Excerpts (item 5, .PDF, 892 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378321&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Record%20Excerpts-Redacted.PDF
- Pilot Flight Time Declaration (item 6, .PDF, 259 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378322&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Flight%20Time%20Declaration-Redacted.PDF
- OBE Weather Observations (item 7, .PDF, 89 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378323&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=OBE%20Weather%20Observations-Master.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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