# NTSB GAA16CA115: American Legend AL11C 100, N24184, Las Animas, CO, January 30, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 30, 2016, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Las Animas, CO - Coordinates: 38.051666, -103.120277 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0517&lon=-103.1203&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: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 5, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Federal Aviation Adminisration - NTSB case key (mKey): 92670 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA115 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92670/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92670 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA115 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, resulting in a nose over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [American Legend AL11C-100, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=060001B), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Terrain: wet/muddy terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [American Legend AL11C-100, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035/cases.md?model=060001B), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035/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: [American Legend AL11C-100, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=060001B), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [American Legend AL11C-100, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=060001B), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane, he made an approach to his private sod airstrip after observing rain showers in days previous. The pilot reported that as the main wheels made contact with the surface the airplane immediately nosed over. A photograph taken following the accident and provided by the operator showed that the runway was water saturated and muddy. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings' lift struts and the rudder. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane, he made an approach to his private sod airstrip after observing rain showers in days previous. The pilot reported that as the main wheels made contact with the surface the airplane immediately nosed over. A photograph taken following the accident and provided by the operator showed that the runway was water saturated and muddy. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings' lift struts and the rudder. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N24184](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N24184), registered now, S/N AL-1033 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AMERICAN LEGEND AIRCRAFT CO AL11C 100 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [American Legend AL11C-100](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-legend-al11c-100) (registry code 060001B) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: AL-1033 - Year built: 2006 - Airframe hours: 309.6 - Engines: Continental O-200-A66B 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Banister Bill - Registered owner: Banister Bill - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 15, 2015 - Departed: Los Animas, CO - Destination: Los Animas, CO - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 88; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 22,380 total, 309.6 in this make and model, 7.6 in the last 90 days, 3.7 in the last 30 days, 1.5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 29.51 inHg - Observed at: KLAA, 21 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 20160130024189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160130024189A), Jan 30, 2016: American Legend Aircraft Co AL11C-100, Las Animas, CO, Substantial damage. Pilot stated he was returning to his private turf runway on his own property, and upon landing and rollout, the main landing gear got bogged down in some soft… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 24, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92670. 796 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 649 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40438016&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (Courtesy of Operator) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 148 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40438017&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20Operator)-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. --- 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.