# NTSB LAX00LA045: Lewis Stewart S-51, N151L, Aguila, AZ, November 28, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 28, 1999, 11:20 local (18:20 UTC) - Place: Aguila, AZ - Coordinates: 33.810092, -113.179603 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8101&lon=-113.1796&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report August 14, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47829 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA045 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47829/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA045 ## Probable cause The jamming of a main landing gear in its wheel well for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach - vfr pattern - downwind - landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly - jammed (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - rough/uneven - precautionary landing - attempted, pilot in command ## Analysis The pilot attempted to extend the landing gear in preparation for completing flight in his experimental, homebuilt airplane. The left and nose wheels locked in the down position. However, the right main landing gear did not extend out of the wheel well where it had jammed. Utilizing the emergency hydraulic extension system, the pilot attempted to lower the malfunctioning right main landing gear. The pilot was not successful, so he chose to land in a nearby plowed field with all of the landing gear retracted. As the airplane slid to a stop it impacted rough terrain, and the pilot was seriously injured. The reason for the jammed main landing gear was not determined. ## Factual narrative On November 28, 1999, about 1120 hours mountain standard time, an amateur-built Lewis Stewart S-51, N151L, owned and operated by the pilot, experienced an in-flight landing gear extension malfunction while approaching the Eagle Roost Airpark, Aguila, Arizona. Unable to fully extend one main landing gear, the private pilot retracted the other gear and elected to land his airplane in a plowed field near the airpark. The airplane was substantially damaged while sliding to a stop in the rough terrain, and the pilot was seriously injured. The flight was performed under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the personal flight that originated from the airpark between 1030 and 1040. The Maricopa County Sheriff's Department reported that during the pilot's flight in his conventional gear airplane, the pilot broadcast that he was experiencing difficulty extending one of the main landing gear. The pilot circled the area burning off fuel. The pilot landed on soft dirt terrain about 1 mile east of the uncontrolled airstrip. In the pilot's "Aircraft Accident Report" he wrote, in pertinent part, that when he attempted to extend the landing gear only two green lights illuminated. The right landing gear was stuck in the wheel well. The pilot used the emergency hydraulic landing gear extension system, but despite all efforts the gear remained jammed in the retracted position. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N151L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N151L-2000-04-05), registration cancelled 2000-04-05, S/N S-117 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Lewis STEWART S-51 (STEWART S-) - Registry model: [Lewis Jerry D STEWART S-51](https://openairdocs.org/model/lewis-jerry-d-stewart-s-51) (registry code 05602LJ) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: S-117 - Airframe hours: 79 - Engines: Chevrolet 502 CI 530 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jerry D. Lewis - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, November 18, 1999, 1 hours before - Departed: 7E0 - Airport: 7E0, Eagle Roost Airpark ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 9,607 total, 2 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: DVT, 57 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 19991128033299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991128033299A), Nov 28, 1999: Amtr STEWARTS51, Aguila, AZ, Substantial damage. (.19) On November 28, 1999, about 1156 hours mountain standard time, a lewis stewart S-51, N151L, experienced a total loss of enigne power while maneuvering… 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.