# NTSB LAX02LA132: Cox Aeros Ltd Skyranger, Gila Bend, AZ, April 10, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 10, 2002, 08:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Gila Bend, AZ - Coordinates: 32.960556, -112.679443 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9606&lon=-112.6794&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 54510 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX02LA132 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54510/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54510 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA132 ## Probable cause The failure of the engine for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, climb - to cruise - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - rough/uneven - Nose gear collapsed, emergency landing ## Analysis An unregistered, experimental homebuilt aircraft collided with the ground during a forced landing after an engine failure. The airplane was not issued a waiver as required for operation by Part 103 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. After departing to practice touch-and-go's the engine lost power; consequently, the pilot made a forced landing in the rough, desert terrain. Upon touchdown, the nosegear collapsed and the cowling and windshield were damaged. The speed of the airplane was between 40-45 miles per hour. ## Factual narrative On April 10, 2002, about 0830 mountain standard time, an unregistered, experimental homebuilt Cox Aeros Ltd. Skyranger, collided with the ground during a forced landing at Gila Bend, Arizona. The owner/operator was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot sustained minor injuries and the passenger sustained serious injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The purpose of the flight was to practice touch-and-go landings. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan had been filed. Through a written statement, the pilot stated that after departing runway 22 to practice touch-and-go's, approximately 300 yards beyond the end of the runway a computer malfunction resulted in instant shutdown of the engine; consequently, the pilot made a forced landing in the rough, desert terrain. The pilot further stated that upon touchdown, the nosegear collapsed and the cowling and windshield were damaged. The speed of the airplane was between 40-45 miles per hour. According to a local law enforcement report, the pilot had departed to the west from the municipal airport. The runway is oriented 040/220 degrees, according to the Southwest U.S. Airport/Facility Directory. About 150 to 200 feet above the ground (agl), the engine lost power and a forced landing ensued. According to the engine manufacturer, if the computer does not receive power from the battery, the engine will quit. The two-place ultralight trainer airplane was registered with the United States Ultralight Association but the owner/operator did not apply for a waiver as required by Federal Aviation Regulations Part 103. ## Aircraft - Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Cox Aeros Ltd Skyranger - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: SK1035 - Airframe hours: 35 - Engines: Hirth 2706E06A 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Fred W. Cox - Departed: E63, Gila Bend, AZ - Airport: E63, Gila Bend, runway 22, 5,200 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; last flight review January 1, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 1,500 total, 35 in this make and model, 35 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 4 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: GBN, 3 nm away ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 19, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54510. 633 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 374 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428341&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Correspondence from Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 34 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40169289&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Correspondence%20from%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Phone Interview Hirth (item 3, .PDF, 18 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40169291&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Phone%20Interview%20Hirth-Redacted.PDF - Phone Interview Pilot (item 4, .PDF, 22 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40169292&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Phone%20Interview%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Skyranger Information (item 5, .PDF, 153 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40169294&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Skyranger%20Information-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 6, .PDF, 33 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40169295&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-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.