# NTSB LAX02LA268: Breezy RLU-1A, N3184, North Las Vegas, NV, August 31, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 31, 2002, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: North Las Vegas, NV - Coordinates: 36.2, -115.466667 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2000&lon=-115.4667&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 July 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 55619 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX02LA268 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55619/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA268 ## Probable cause the failure of both pilots to maintain an adequate terrain clearance altitude while maneuvering in a canyon. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, climb - terrain condition - blind/box canyon (contributing factor) - terrain condition - rising - weather condition - downdraft - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot passenger - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis 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. ## Factual narrative 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3184](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3184-2012-09-27), registration cancelled 2012-09-27, S/N 163, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BREEZY RLU-1A - Registry model: [Eaa BREEZY RLU-1A](https://openairdocs.org/model/eaa-breezy-rlu-1a) (registry code 0562070) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 163 - Airframe hours: 1017 - Engines: Lycoming O-290 D 125 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: EAA Chapter 163 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, November 17, 2001, 11 hours before - Departed: VGT, North Las Vegas, NV - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: VGT, North Las Vegas ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 2, 2000; seat: front; flight hours: 2,361 total, 28 in this make and model, 2,324 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 0 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: KVGT, 10 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 20020831023049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020831023049A), Aug 31, 2002: Amtr BREEZYRLU1, Lasvegas, NV, Destroyed. (-23) At approximately 9:00 am on August 31, 2002, private pilot henry stephen nelson flew N3184 over sandstone quarry parking lot in red rock canyon national… ## Other investigations on N3184 (3) 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. - [NTSB LAX96LA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA019), Oct 21, 1995: Eaa Chapter 163 Breezy RLU-1A (N3184), Henderson, NV, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain a proper cruise altitude and his inadequate in-flight planning. Contributing factors were encountering rising terrain and a downdraft. - [NTSB SEA84LA127](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA84LA127), Jun 10, 1984: Breezy RLU-1A (N3184), Jean, NV, substantial damage - [NTSB LAX80FVW23](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80FVW23), Aug 11, 1980: Breezy RLU-1A (N3184), Las Vegas, NV, substantial damage 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.