# NTSB FTW01LA103: Joe Underwood Lazer Z, N363WB, Bossier City, LA, April 22, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 22, 2001, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Bossier City, LA - Coordinates: 32.509143, -93.599037 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5091&lon=-93.5990&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report October 23, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 52197 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW01LA103 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52197/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01LA103 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain control during the low level maneuver. A contribiting factor was the windshear. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - low pass - performed, pilot in command - weather condition - windshear (contributing factor) ## Analysis The homebuilt experimental airplane impacted terrain while performing a low pass during an air show demonstration flight. The pilot was flying wings level at 200 mph, approximately 10 feet AGL, down the "show" line on a heading of 150 degrees. Level flight was established for about 4 to 5 seconds when the aircraft was "suddenly and violently forced straight down until ground impact occured." After a "hard" bounce, the pilot immediately applied "up elevator" and "continued flying the aircraft." The pilot then shut the engine down and glided to a landing on an adjacent runway. The pilot did not experience any "mechanical problems with the aircraft" and it "remained flyable and controllable following the ground impact." The pilot stated that he believed that the accident was "attributable to a severe wind shear and downdraft coming from a large hangar" located about 300 feet to the southwest of where the aicraft impacted the ground. The pilot reported the winds to be from 190 to 210 degrees at 25 knots, gusting to 35 knots. ## Factual narrative On April 22, 2001, at 1630 central daylight time, a Joe Underwood Lazer Z homebuilt experimental airplane, N363WB, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during an air show demonstration flight at the Barksdale Air Force Base, Bossier City, Louisiana. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 aerobatic demonstration flight. During a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that he had just completed an aerobatic maneuver and was flying wings level at 200 mph, approximately 10 feet AGL, down the "show" line on a heading of 150 degrees. He stated that he had established level flight for about 4 to 5 seconds when the aircraft was "suddenly and violently forced straight down until ground impact occured." After a "hard" bounce, the pilot immediately applied "up elevator" and "continued flying the aircraft." The pilot then shut the engine down and glided to a landing on runway 15. The pilot did not experience any "mechanical problems with the aircraft" and it "remained flyable and controllable following the ground impact." Inspection of the aircraft by a FAA airworthiness inspector revealed that both main landing gear were bent upward into the fuselage, which was buckled. After the accident, the pilot stated that he believed that the accident was "attributable to a severe wind shear and downdraft coming from a large hangar" located about 300 feet to the southwest of where the aircraft impacted the ground. The pilot reported the winds to be from 190 to 210 degrees at 25 knots, gusting to 35 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N363WB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N363WB-2009-02-10), registration cancelled 2009-02-10, S/N 47, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Joe Underwood Lazer Z - Registry model: [Underwood Joe STEVENSACRO LAZER Z](https://openairdocs.org/model/underwood-joe-stevensacro-lazer-z) (registry code 05646FL) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming HIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (registry code 41524, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 47 - Airframe hours: 655 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360 205 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Air race/show, Part 91 - Registered owner: William C. Marcellus - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 29, 2000, 30 hours before - Departed: BAD, Bossier City, LA - Destination: BAD - Airport: BAD, Barksdale AFB, runway 15, 11,700 × 300 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 30, 2000; seat: single; flight hours: 1,038 total, 470 in this make and model, 868 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 25 knots, gusting 35 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg ## 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 20010422009889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010422009889A), Apr 22, 2001: Bossier City, LA, No damage. (-23) The a/c was in a level flight attitude approximately 50' AGL flying at a high rate of speed. For unknown reasons the aircraft pitched down and hit the… 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.