# NTSB GAA17CA034: Yakovlev YAK, N38YK, Tracy, CA, October 23, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 23, 2016, 14:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Tracy, CA - Coordinates: 37.673332, -121.296386 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6733&lon=-121.2964&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 13, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94264 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA034 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94264/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94264 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA034 ## Probable cause The pilot’s unstabilized approach and delayed application of full throttle for a go-around, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Yakovlev YAK-55M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=9830224), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Yakovlev YAK-55M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=9830224), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Yakovlev YAK-55M, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=9830224), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Yakovlev YAK-55M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=9830224), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Yakovlev YAK-55M, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=9830224), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Yakovlev YAK-55M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=9830224), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Yakovlev YAK-55M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=9830224), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the high-performance airplane reported that, on his third simulated forced landing, while turning left base to final in a slip, he realized that the airplane was too low and not aligned with the runway. He applied full throttle to go around. The airplane responded suddenly by changing attitude but continued to descend and impacted terrain and the airport perimeter fence. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot further reported that the slow airspeed coupled with the unexpected high torque from advancing the throttle during an uncoordinated left turn were factors in the accident. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the high performance airplane reported that on his third simulated forced landing, while turning left base to final in a slip, he realized that the airplane was too low, and not aligned with the runway. He applied full throttle to go-around. The airplane responded suddenly by changing attitude, but continued to descend and impacted terrain and the airport perimeter fence. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot further reported that the slow airspeed coupled with the unexpected high torque from advancing the throttle during an uncoordinated left turn were factors in the accident. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N38YK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N38YK-2017-02-24), registration cancelled 2017-02-24, S/N 870203, built 1987 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: YAKOVLEV YAK (55M) - Registry model: [Yakovlev YAK-55M](https://openairdocs.org/model/yakovlev-yak-55m) (registry code 9830224) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 870203 - Year built: 1987 - Airframe hours: 1900 - Engines: Vedeneyev M14PF 400 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special); Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, July 14, 2016 - Departed: RHV, SAN JOSE, CA - Destination: 1Q4, Tracy, CA - Airport: 1Q4, New Jerusalem, runway 30, 3,530 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 12, 2015; seat: single; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 628 total, 134 in this make and model, 474 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: KSCK, 13 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 20161023016959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161023016959A), Oct 23, 2016: Yakovlev YAK-55M, Tracy, CA, Destroyed. Aircraft was landing at New Jerusalem Airport, CA. (1Q4) runway 30, pilot admitted he became too low and not aligned with the runway to the right . Rapid power… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 9, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94264. 680 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 258 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455632&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 422 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40449080&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%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.