# NTSB GAA18CA002: Ultralight America Spitfire II, N2918A, Camarillo, CA, October 6, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 5, 2017, 17:50 local (Oct 6, 2017, 00:50 UTC) - Place: Camarillo, CA - Coordinates: 34.21389, -119.084167 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2139&lon=-119.0842&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 11, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96141 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA002 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96141/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96141 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA002 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to track the runway centerline during an attempted go-around, which resulted in impact with a hangar. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Ultralight America SPITFIRE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05901IA), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Ultralight America SPITFIRE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=05901IA), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: airport structure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022042): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Ultralight America SPITFIRE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022042/cases.md?model=05901IA), [All aircraft, 50 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022042/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Ultralight America SPITFIRE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05901IA), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Ultralight America SPITFIRE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05901IA), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during a familiarization flight, he took off and "noticed a strong left turning tendency." He added that he "kept the power at a higher, time restricted setting," which resulted in the coolant temperature rising above the 180°F maximum operating temperature. Although there were no indications of performance degradation, he "became concerned" that the airplane could lose engine power due to overheating and decided to make a precautionary landing. During the landing, the airplane bounced, and he decided to go around. Subsequently, the airplane struck a hangar roof about 75 ft left of the runway centerline and then came to rest on the opposite side of the hangar. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during a familiarization flight, he took off and "noticed a strong left turning tendency." He added that, he "kept the power at a higher, time restricted setting", which resulted in the coolant temperature rising above the 180° F maximum operating temperature. Although there were no indications of performance degradation, he "became concerned" that he could lose engine power due to overheating, and decided to make a precautionary landing. During the landing, the airplane bounced, and he decided to go-around. Subsequently, the airplane struck a hangar roof approximately 75' to the left of the runway centerline and came to rest on the opposite side of the hangar. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2918A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2918A-2020-08-02), registration cancelled 2020-08-02, S/N 19661978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ULTRALIGHT AMERICA SPITFIRE II (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Ultralight America SPITFIRE II](https://openairdocs.org/model/ultralight-america-spitfire-ii) (registry code 05901IA) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 582DCDI](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582dcdi) (registry code 55562, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 19661978 - Year built: 1993 - Engines: ROTAX 670 89 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, October 2, 2017 - Departed: CMA, Camarillo, CA - Destination: CMA, Camarillo, CA - Airport: CMA, Camarillo, runway 26, 6,013 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: minor; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review September 13, 2016; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 115 total, 3 in this make and model, 28 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.84 inHg - Observed at: KCMA ## 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 20171005016119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171005016119A), Oct 5, 2017: Ultralight America SPITFIRE II, Camarillo, CA, Destroyed. Pilot was conducting touch & go takeoffs and landings. Shortly after takeoff the pilot was distracted by a high engine temperature indication and police… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 6, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96141. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 909 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458622&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 2, .PDF, 276 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458623&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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.