LAX02LA268

While maneuvering around a large rock feature, the airplane entered a blind/box canyon and collided with the rising terrain. The rear seat passenger/pilot had been flying the airplane. The pilot/owner detected downdrafts, and the airplane could not climb fast enough for the diminishing altitude. He only attempted to level the wings and land straight ahead. According to witness statements, the airplane was climbing over rising terrain and had begun to waver. Estimates of the altitude varied from 75 to 100 feet above a parking lot (elevation 3,500 feet), which was approximately 1 1/2 miles below the impact site. Hikers closer to the area had also seen the airplane as it made its approach overhead. They reported that the airplane appeared unstable as it flew up the canyon. They ran over to help and observed fuel leaking from the airplane. The engine had been running until impact, one witness said, but no fire ensued.

On August 31, 2002, about 0930 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Breezy RLU-1A, N3184, collided with terrain while maneuvering about 14 miles west of North Las Vegas (VGT), Nevada. The owner was operating the airplane as a personal flight under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane was substantially damaged. The private pilot sustained serious injuries, and the pilot rated passenger sustained minor injuries. The local flight departed from the North Las Vegas Airport (VGT) about 0845. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed.

According to witness statements, the airplane was climbing over rising terrain and had begun to waver. Estimates of the altitude varied from 75 to 100 feet above a parking lot (elevation 3,500 feet), which was approximately 1 1/2 miles below the impact site. Hikers closer to the area had also seen the airplane as it made its approach overhead. They reported that the airplane appeared unstable as it flew up the canyon. They ran over to help and observed fuel leaking from the airplane. The engine had been running until impact, one witness said, but no fire ensued.

The pilots reported light turbulence and downdrafts. The airplane was being used for aerial sightseeing over Red Rock Park at the time. Limited official weather observations were available for the immediate area. Automated Weather Observation Station (ASOS) data issued for the North Las Vegas Airport, the nearest reporting station, indicated wind conditions were calm.

The pilot/ passenger, exercising the controls as pilot from the rear seat, had been maneuvering the airplane. He did not report any difficulty with the airplane's controls, and iterated that the engine was responding like it was operating normally. As the airplane executed a general turn to the left from a northbound heading to maneuver around a large rock, they encountered rising terrain. The pilot/owner took the controls and applied full power. The pilot/owner stated that the airplane had turned into a box canyon situation and that he detected downdrafts. Full stick deflection (back) would not overcome the diminishing altitude, and a forced landing became necessary. He only attempted to level the wings and land straight ahead.