# NTSB GAA18CA227: Irvin Stephen D Rutan Long E Z, N8714S, Tucson, AZ, April 22, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 21, 2018, 17:00 local (Apr 22, 2018, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Tucson, AZ - Coordinates: 32.139167, -111.173614 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1392&lon=-111.1736&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97099 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA227 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97099/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97099 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA227 ## Probable cause The pilot’s excessive ground speed and loss of directional control while exiting the taxiway. ## 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: [Irvin Stephen D RUTAN LONG E-Z, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05690H7), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: surface speed/braking](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Irvin Stephen D RUTAN LONG E-Z, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=05690H7), [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Irvin Stephen D RUTAN LONG E-Z, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05690H7), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Irvin Stephen D RUTAN LONG E-Z, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=05690H7), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Irvin Stephen D RUTAN LONG E-Z, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=05690H7), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Irvin Stephen D RUTAN LONG E-Z, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05690H7), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Irvin Stephen D RUTAN LONG E-Z, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=05690H7), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Irvin Stephen D RUTAN LONG E-Z, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05690H7), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Irvin Stephen D RUTAN LONG E-Z, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05690H7), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot in the retractable-nosewheel airplane, he landed about midfield on the 4,000-ft-long runway, and his approach speed was about 10 knots too fast. During the landing roll, the pilot started a right turn to exit his approaching taxiway and pressed the brakes hard because the ground speed was too fast. He reported that he heard a "small pop" and that he had "no braking control," and the airplane veered left. He released the brake pressure and retracted the nose landing gear to slow the airplane. The airplane skidded off the left side of the runway and collided with trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left canard and right wing. A Federal Aviation Administration aviation safety inspector who examined the airplane after the accident reported that the right brake fluid line failed at the brake caliper. He asserted that the brake line failure was not a material failure, rather it was the result of the airplane's collision with trees. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot in the airplane with a retractable nose-wheel, he landed about mid-field on the 4,000ft long runway, and his approach speed had been about 10 knots fast. During the landing roll, the pilot started a right turn to exit his approaching taxiway and pressed the brakes hard, because the airplane's ground speed was too fast. He reported that he heard a "small pop" and that he had "no braking control" and the airplane veered to the left. He released the brake pressure and retracted the nose landing gear to slow the airplane. The airplane skidded off the left side of the runway and collided with trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left canard and the right wing. A Federal Aviation Administration, Aviation Safety Inspector examined the airplane after the accident. He reported that the right brake fluid line failed at the brake caliper. He asserted that the brake line failure was not a material failure, rather it was the result of the airplane's collision with trees. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8714S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8714S), registered now, S/N 2037, built 1987 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: IRVIN STEPHEN D RUTAN LONG E Z (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Irvin Stephen D RUTAN LONG E-Z](https://openairdocs.org/model/irvin-stephen-d-rutan-long-e-z) (registry code 05690H7) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 2037 - Year built: 1987 - Airframe hours: 2763 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, September 13, 2017 - Departed: CNO, CHINO, CA - Destination: RYN, Tucson, AZ - Airport: RYN, Ryan Field, runway 33, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 21, 2016; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 576 total, 346 in this make and model, 427 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: KRYN, 1 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 20180421003959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180421003959A), Apr 21, 2018: Irvin Stephen D RUTAN LONG E-Z, Ryan Airport, AZ, Substantial damage. The aircraft was in the right pattern to re 24R. Etc offered the pilot the option to change to re 33 due to wind shift. The pilot flew the aircraft flew to rat… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 29, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97099. 3.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467728&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record – FAA (item 2, .PDF, 124 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467729&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20%E2%80%93%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photographs (item 3, .PDF, 236 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467731&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photographs-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.