# NTSB GAA17CA174: Lancair Columbia 400, N2516K, Henderson, NV, March 5, 2017

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 5, 2017, 05:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Henderson, NV
- Coordinates: 35.972778, -115.134445 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9728&lon=-115.1344&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 22, 2017
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 94827
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA174
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94827/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94827
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA174

## Probable cause

The pilot’s improper decision to land the airplane with a gusting crosswind, which resulted in a loss of airplane control.

## 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: [Lancair LC41-550FG, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=5150001), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/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 LC41-550FG, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5150001), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Aircraft capability: maximum crosswind component](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061015): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Lancair LC41-550FG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061015/cases.md?model=5150001), [All aircraft, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061015/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Lancair LC41-550FG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=5150001), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Lancair LC41-550FG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=5150001), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Lancair LC41-550FG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=5150001), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390) (defining event); cases with it: [Lancair LC41-550FG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md?model=5150001), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Lancair LC41-550FG, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5150001), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he and his passenger were cleared by the tower for the approach to runway 17R. During landing, "a violent wind gust without warning hit the airplane." The pilot attempted to recover, "when a second violent wind gust hit the airplane causing a wing to hit the ground." The airplane's left wing impacted the safety area between runway 17R and 17L and just beyond taxiway Foxtrot. The airplane came to rest in the same safety area about 45° left of the initial impact point and about 10 ft from runway 17L. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing, fuselage, and rudder. The METAR reported that the wind was from 220° at 31 knots, gusting to 38 knots about the time of the accident. According to the manufacturer's Pilot's Operating Handbook, the maximum demonstrated crosswind component was 23 knots. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that he and his passenger were cleared by tower for the approach to runway 17 Right (R). During landing, "a violent wind gust without warning hit the airplane." The pilot attempted to recover, "when a second violent wind gust hit the airplane causing a wing to hit the ground." The airplane's initial impact point was the left wing that impacted the safety area between runway 17 R and 17 Left (L), and just beyond taxiway Foxtrot. The airplane came to rest in the same safety area about 45° left of the initial impact point, and about 10 feet from runway 17 L. The airplane sustained substantial damage to runway left wing, the fuselage and the rudder. The meteorological aerodrome report identified that the wind was out of 220° at the velocity of 31 kts. gusting to 38 kts. about the time of the accident. According to the manufacturer's pilot operating handbook, the maximum demonstrated crosswind component is 23 kts. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2516K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2516K-2018-04-19), registration cancelled 2018-04-19, S/N 41069, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LANCAIR COMPANY Columbia 400
- Registry model: [Lancair LC41-550FG](https://openairdocs.org/model/lancair-lc41-550fg) (registry code 5150001) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-550 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-550-series) (registry code 17043, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 41069
- Year built: 2005
- Airframe hours: 991
- Engines: CONT MOTOR TSIO-550-C5 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 4, 2016
- Departed: 0E0, Moriaty, NM
- Destination: HND, Henderson, NV
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: HND, Henderson Executive, runway 17R, 6,501 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic multifunction display, Stall warning system, Onboard weather, Electronic primary flight display

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 2, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 5,729 total, 1,350 in this make and model, 5,729 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 31 knots, gusting 38
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 29.70 inHg
- Observed at: KHND

## 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 20170305006119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170305006119A), Mar 5, 2017: Lancair Company LC41-550FG, Henderson, NV, Substantial damage. On March 5, 2017, about 1759 pacific standard time, a Lancair LC41-550FG, N2516K, impacted the terrain during an attempted visual flight rules (VFR) go-around…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 29, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94827. 3.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455682&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 167 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455683&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.

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