# NTSB GAA18CA096: Aeropro CZ Eurofox, N3945A, Upper Lake, CA, December 27, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 27, 2017, 15:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Upper Lake, CA - Coordinates: 39.443054, -122.960281 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4431&lon=-122.9603&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 27, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96566 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA096 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96566/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96566 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA096 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during the approach to land, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeropro CZ EUROFOX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=060002B), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeropro CZ EUROFOX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=060002B), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeropro CZ EUROFOX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=060002B), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Aeropro CZ EUROFOX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=060002B), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Aeropro CZ EUROFOX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=060002B), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the airplane reported that, during the approach to land, he applied full flaps, but "unfortunately, [he] added power too late and too slowly." Subsequently, "the bottom fell out," and the airplane aerodynamically stalled. The airplane landed hard, the left and right wings impacted the ground, and the airplane skidded to a stop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing. 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 of the airplane reported that, during the approach to land, he applied full flaps, but "unfortunately, [he] added power too late and too slowly". Subsequently, "the bottom fell out" and the airplane aerodynamically stalled. The airplane landed hard, the left and right wing impacted the ground, and the airplane skidded to a stop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3945A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3945A-2019-09-06), registration cancelled 2019-09-06, S/N 178 05, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AEROPRO CZ EUROFOX (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Aeropro CZ EUROFOX](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeropro-cz-eurofox) (registry code 060002B) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax SEE BOMBADIER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-see-bombadier) (registry code 55555, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 178 05 - Year built: 2005 - Airframe hours: 756.6 - Engines: Rotax ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2017 - Departed: LHM, LINCOLN, CA - Destination: 1Q5, Upper Lake, CA - Airport: 1Q5, Gravelly Valley, runway 01, 4,050 × 200 ft, gravel - Equipment: Data recorder, Airframe parachute, Handheld GPS, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review October 21, 2017; seat: left; flight hours: 525 total, 440 in this make and model, 525 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.25 inHg - Observed at: KUKI, 22 nm away ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 28, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96566. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 883 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460411&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 265 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460412&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.