# NTSB GAA16CA461: American Legend AL3, N114LC, Sedona, AZ, August 30, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 30, 2016, 11:02 local (18:02 UTC) - Place: Sedona, AZ - Coordinates: 34.509166, -111.473052 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5092&lon=-111.4731&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 January 18, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93936 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA461 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93936/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93936 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA461 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [American Legend AL3, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=060002K), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [American Legend AL3, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=060002K), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [American Legend AL3, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=060002K), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [American Legend AL3, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=060002K), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [American Legend AL3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=060002K), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Turbulence encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360); cases with it: [American Legend AL3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md?model=060002K), [All aircraft, 423 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [American Legend AL3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=060002K), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [American Legend AL3, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=060002K), [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: [American Legend AL3, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=060002K), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [American Legend AL3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=060002K), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [American Legend AL3, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=060002K), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane, during approach for landing the airplane encountered "slight" turbulence, but the wind was reported as calm. He further reported that there were building cumulus clouds in the area. The pilot reported that about 4 feet above the ground, the airplane encountered wind gusts from left to right, so he added power and right rudder. He reported that the airplane landed on the left main landing gear, immediately veered left, exited the left side of the runway and impacted a drainage culvert. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage frame and right wing ribs. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with any portion of the airplane during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operations. As a recommendation the pilot reported that he should have gone around at the first indication of turbulence and tested the conditions further. He wrote that had the conditions worsened he would have departed the area for a suitable airport. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane, during approach for landing the airplane encountered "slight" turbulence, but the wind was reported as calm. He further reported that there were building cumulus clouds in the area. The pilot reported that about 4 feet above the ground, the airplane encountered wind gusts from left to right, so he added power and right rudder. He reported that the airplane landed on the left main landing gear, immediately veered left, exited the left side of the runway and impacted a drainage culvert. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage frame and right wing ribs. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with any portion of the airplane during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operations. As a recommendation the pilot reported that he should have gone around at the first indication of turbulence and tested the conditions further. He wrote that had the conditions worsened he would have departed the area for a suitable airport. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N114LC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N114LC), registered now, S/N AL-1140 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AMERICAN LEGEND AIRCRAFT CO AL3 (UNDESIGNAT) - Registry model: [American Legend AL3](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-legend-al3) (registry code 060002K) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-200-series) (registry code 17402, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: AL-1140 - Year built: 2008 - Airframe hours: 362.8 - Engines: Continental O-200/A48 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, December 12, 2015 - Departed: PRC, Prescott, AZ - Destination: SEZ, Sedona, AZ - Airport: SEZ, Sedona, runway 03, 5,132 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 15, 2015; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 407.7 total, 51 in this make and model, 382.7 as pilot in command, 6.4 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: KSEZ, 74 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 20160830007069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160830007069A), Aug 30, 2016: American Legend Aircraft Co AL3, Sedona, AZ, Substantial damage. At approximately 11:02 a.m. local time N114LC, an American legend AL3 light sport airplane, sustained substantial damage following a hard landing and an… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 6, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93936. 755 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 424 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447064&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 331 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447065&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%20(Courtesy%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. --- 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.