# NTSB GAA15CA033: Lancair LC 40 550FG, N777XX, Middleton, WI, April 1, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 1, 2015, 15:20 local (20:20 UTC)
- Place: Middleton, WI
- Coordinates: 43.113334, -89.533332 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1133&lon=-89.5333&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 9, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 90980
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90980/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90980
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA033

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind during landing.

## Findings

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

- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Lancair LC-40-550FG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=5150000), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/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 LC-40-550FG, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5150000), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Lancair LC-40-550FG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=5150000), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Lancair LC-40-550FG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=5150000), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/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) (defining event); cases with it: [Lancair LC-40-550FG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=5150000), [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: [Lancair LC-40-550FG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=5150000), [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: [Lancair LC-40-550FG, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5150000), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Lancair LC-40-550FG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=5150000), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md)

## Analysis

During a cross-country flight the pilot said he listened to the automated weather report a few miles west of his destination and noted crosswinds at 17 knots, gusting to 20 knots. The pilot continued the approach to landing and reported the touchdown was "uneventful," but during the landing roll a gust of wind rotated the nose 90 degrees into the crosswind. Subsequently, the airplane departed the runway surface and impacted a ditch adjacent to the runway, causing the nose wheel to collapse. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the engine firewall.

## Factual narrative

During a cross-country flight the pilot said he listened to the automated weather report a few miles west of his destination and noted crosswinds at 17 knots, gusting to 20 knots. The pilot continued the approach to landing and reported the touchdown was "uneventful," but during the landing roll a gust of wind rotated the nose 90 degrees into the crosswind. Subsequently, the airplane departed the runway surface and impacted a ditch adjacent to the runway, causing the nose wheel to collapse. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the engine firewall.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N777XX](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N777XX), registered now, S/N 40058, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LANCAIR COMPANY LC 40 550FG (550FG)
- Registry model: [Lancair LC-40-550FG](https://openairdocs.org/model/lancair-lc-40-550fg) (registry code 5150000) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-550 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-550-series) (registry code 17042, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 40058
- Year built: 2002
- Airframe hours: 231
- Engines: CONT MOTOR IO-550N2B 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ahmed Al-Niaimi
- Registered owner: Ahmed Al-Niaimi
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 13, 2014
- Departed: PDC, PRAIRIE DU CHIEN, WI
- Destination: C29, Middleton, WI
- Airport: C29, Middleton Muni - Morey Field, runway 28, 4,000 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Onboard weather, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Stall warning system, Auto-pilot

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 6, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 229 total, 59 in this make and model, 142 as pilot in command, 52 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 17 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.84 inHg
- Turbulence: Light
- Observed at: KMSN, 9 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 20150401003299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150401003299A), Apr 1, 2015: Lancair Company LC-40-550FG, Middleton, WI, Substantial damage. While performing a cross wind landing, pilot lost control of aircraft on roll out. Aircraft departed the left side of the runway, the nose gear collapsed…

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 1, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90980. 1.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40427238&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Record of Conversation (Pilot in Command) (item 2, .PDF, 69 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40427239&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot%20in%20Command)-Master.PDF
- Weather Information - KMSN (item 3, .PDF, 90 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40427240&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Information%20-%20KMSN-Master.PDF
- Photo 1 – Engine mounts (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 170 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40427241&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Engine%20mounts%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 – Structural truss and engine mounts (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 179 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40427242&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20Structural%20truss%20and%20engine%20mounts%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 3 – Airplane with Collapsed Nose Gear (Photo courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 73 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40427243&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20%E2%80%93%20Airplane%20with%20Collapsed%20Nose%20Gear%20(Photo%20courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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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