# NTSB LAX02LA160: Mulligan RV4, N6579B, Santa Ynez, CA, May 12, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 12, 2002, 16:15 local (23:15 UTC) - Place: Santa Ynez, CA - Coordinates: 34.64072, -120.020271 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6407&lon=-120.0203&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 54701 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX02LA160 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54701/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54701 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA160 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot to maintain sufficient airspeed during the attempted go-around resulting in a stall/mush. The gusting winds, recent purchase of airplane, and premature raising of the flaps were factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - lack of experience, pilot in command (contributing factor) - go-around - attempted, pilot in command - raising of flaps - premature, pilot in command (contributing factor) - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The amateur-built airplane collided with the ground during an attempted go-around from runway 26. The pilot reported he was on final approach when a gust of wind caused the airplane to balloon up. He elected to go-around and added full power, then retracted the flaps. During this time, the airplane was drifting off the left side of the runway. The pilot stated that the airplane "apparently stalled" and settled to the ground. The left wing contacted the ground, followed by the airplane's nose. He estimated that the winds were from 260 degrees at 10 mph, with gusts from 15 to 20 mph. The pilot stated he had recently purchased the airplane. ## Factual narrative On May 12, 2002, about 1615 Pacific daylight time, an amateur-built Mulligan RV4 airplane, N6579B, collided with the ground during an attempted go-around from runway 26 at the Santa Ynez, California, airport. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and sole passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal local flight departed Santa Ynez airport about 1545. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The accident was initially reported by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, which has a station close to the Santa Ynez airport. The captain on duty at the time of the event stated that they observed the accident airplane approach runway 26 "flying nearly sideways." The firefighters at the station then lost sight of the airplane as it descended from their view. The station responded to the reported accident and secured the scene from fire ignition danger. The captain reported that the fuel tanks contained "lots of fuel." At the time of the accident he estimated that the winds were from the west about 10 mph. The captain noted that the "entire airplane" including the wings, engine compartment, firewall, and tail surfaces sustained damage. The pilot was interviewed by telephone on May 12, 2002. He reported that he had recently purchased the airplane. He was on final approach to runway 26 when a gust of wind caused the airplane to balloon up. He elected to go-around and added full power, then retracted the flaps. During this time, the airplane was drifting off the left side of the runway. The pilot stated that for "undetermined reasons" the airplane settled to the ground. The left wing contacted the ground, followed by the airplane's nose. He estimated that the winds were from 260 degrees at 10 mph, with gusts to 15 to 20 mph. The pilot said he is not aware of any mechanical problems with the airplane before the accident sequence. In a written statement received May 22, 2002, the pilot stated a gust lifted the aircraft after the tailwheel had touched down. Full throttle was applied and the aircraft proceeded slowly without gaining speed in level flight at about 25 feet agl. The speed did not increase so the pilot raised the flaps; however, the speed did not increase. The airplane was in level flight, just above ground level, with full throttle when it "apparently stalled." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6579B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6579B-2006-07-21), registration cancelled 2006-07-21, S/N 1680, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mulligan RV4 - Registry model: [Mulligan Hampton E RV-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/mulligan-hampton-e-rv-4) (registry code 05608LX) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Airframe hours: 360 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Howard R. Harvey - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, August 5, 2001, 20 hours before - Departed: KIZA, Santa Ynez, CA - Airport: IZA, Santa Ynez, runway 26, 2,804 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review May 4, 2002; seat: front; flight hours: 254 total, 16 in this make and model, 189 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 9 knots - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 100 ft overcast - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: KLPC, 20 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 20020512008289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020512008289A), May 12, 2002: Amtr RV4, Santa Ynez, CA, Substantial damage. (.19) On may 12, 2002, at 1615 pacific daylight time, a amateur-built mulligan RV4 airplane, N6579B, collided with the ground during an attempted go-around… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 22, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54701. 592 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 291 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436565&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Phone Interviews (item 2, .PDF, 57 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40169236&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Phone%20Interviews-Master.PDF - Weather (item 3, .PDF, 244 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40169238&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather-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.