# NTSB ERA24LA051: Lancair 235, N235N, Stuart, FL, November 28, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: November 28, 2023, 18:28 local (23:28 UTC) - Place: Stuart, FL - Coordinates: 27.181699, -80.221293 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.1817&lon=-80.2213&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 193450 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA051 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193450/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193450 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA051 ## Probable cause A landing gear collapse due to a hydraulic fluid leak in the landing gear system. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: gear extension and retract sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Smalley Stephen LANCAIR 235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md?model=05630SA), [All aircraft, 416 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md) - [Fluids: hydraulic fluid](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071015): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Smalley Stephen LANCAIR 235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071015/cases.md?model=05630SA), [All aircraft, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071015/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: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) (defining event); cases with it: [Smalley Stephen LANCAIR 235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=05630SA), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Smalley Stephen LANCAIR 235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05630SA), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Smalley Stephen LANCAIR 235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05630SA), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Smalley Stephen LANCAIR 235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05630SA), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot attempted to extend the landing gear of the experimental amateur-built airplane, but did not receive a green light cockpit indication for the nose landing gear. He performed the emergency landing gear extension procedure and ultimately received a green light for the nose landing gear during an airport flyby, in which ground personnel observed that the nose landing gear was extended. The pilot subsequently performed a soft-field landing; however, the nose landing gear collapsed when it contacted the runway. The airplane veered left, struck a taxiway sign, and came to rest upright in a grassy area to the left of the runway. Examination of the wreckage revealed extensive streaking of hydraulic fluid on the lower left section of the airplane and the empennage beginning at the area between the fuselage and left wing root and flap. The left main landing gear strut had separated during the accident and could have been one source of hydraulic fluid on the empennage. The landing gear hydraulic pump operated normally when tested and the landing gear downlock switches were found to be electrically operational as well. The hydraulic fluid reservoir was found to be low (approximately 25% filled), consistent with a hydraulic leak; however, due to impact damage, the source of the leak could not be determined, nor could the landing gear system be fully tested. ## Factual narrative On November 28, 2023, about 1828 eastern standard time, an experimental amateur-built, Lancair 235, N235N, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Stuart, Florida. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that about 5 months before the accident, he experienced a landing gear anomaly with the airplane. Specifically, the landing gear would not extend via the normal procedure and the pilot had to perform the emergency landing gear extension procedure. He subsequently landed uneventfully. Following that event, a mechanic observed that a hydraulic pump failed due to a hydraulic leak in the nose landing gear actuator. The actuator was replaced and the hydraulic pump was overhauled. During the accident flight, the pilot attempted to extend the landing gear, but did not receive a “green light” cockpit indication for the nose landing gear. He performed the emergency landing gear extension procedure and ultimately received a green light for the nose landing gear during an airport flyby, in which ground personnel observed that the nose landing gear was extended. The pilot subsequently performed a soft-field landing; however, the nose landing gear collapsed when it contacted the runway. The airplane veered left, struck a taxiway sign, and came to rest upright in a grassy area to the left of the runway. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the left wing. The inspector also noted extensive streaking of hydraulic fluid on the lower left section of the airplane and the empennage beginning at the area between the fuselage and left wing root and flap. The wreckage was further examined by a mechanic following its recovery. He noted that the left main landing gear strut had separated during the accident. The landing gear hydraulic pump operated normally and the landing gear downlock switches were found to be electrically operational. The hydraulic fluid reservoir was found to be low (approximately 25% filled), consistent with a hydraulic leak; however, due to impact damage, the mechanic could not determine the source of the hydraulic leak or fully test the landing gear system. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N235N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N235N), registered now, S/N 071, built 2012 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LANCAIR 235 - Registry model: [Smalley Stephen LANCAIR 235](https://openairdocs.org/model/smalley-stephen-lancair-235) (registry code 05630SA) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320-E3D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-e3d) (registry code 42127, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 071 - Year built: 2012 - Airframe hours: 180 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, April 22, 2023, 30 hours before - Departed: HEG, Jacksonville, FL - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: SUA, Whitman Field, runway 30, 5,828 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 5, 2023; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 13,370 total, 56 in this make and model, 8,659 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 310° at 4 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,400 ft broken - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.16 inHg - Observed at: SUA - METAR: METAR KSUA 282348Z 31004KT 7SM SCT022 BKN034 16/11 A3016= ## 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 20231128018979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20231128018979A), Nov 28, 2023: Smalley Stephen LANCAIR 235, Stuart, FL, Destroyed. Part 91, Lancair 235 registration [privacy data omitted], serial number 071 with two pilots cleared to land runway 30 at Witham Field Airport (sua) gear… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 24, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193450. 5.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16588144&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for the record - FAA inspector statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 106 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16588380&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MFR1-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 3, PDF, 5 pages, 4 photos, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16588693&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Mechanic statement (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 160 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16588280&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Mechanic%20Report_Redacted-Rel.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. --- 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.