# NTSB LAX03CA257: Lancair 235, N235WC, Page, AZ, July 26, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 26, 2003, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Page, AZ - Coordinates: 36.922222, -111.448333 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9222&lon=-111.4483&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 57717 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03CA257 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57717/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03CA257 ## Probable cause The pilot's misjudged landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing and his improper recovery from a bounced landing. Inadvertent entry into a porpoise pilot-induced oscillation, and high density altitude were contributing factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - encountered, pilot in command (cause) - landing gear,nose gear - collapsed ## Analysis The airplane porpoised during landing, and the nose landing gear collapsed. During final approach, the airplane's ground speed increased and a higher than normal sink rate developed. The pilot was unable to slow the descent in time to prevent a hard landing. After a series of bounces, the nose gear collapsed and the airplane skidded down the runway. The fuel lines broke and a fire erupted. The estimated density altitude was 7,700 feet msl. ## Factual narrative On July 26, 2003, about 1400 mountain standard time, an experimental Lancair 235, N235WC, porpoised during landing at Page Municipal Airport (PGA), Page, Arizona. As a result, the nose gear collapsed. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal cross-country flight originated from Camarillo Airport (CMA), Camarillo, California, about 1100 Pacific daylight time. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that during final approach, the airplane's ground speed increased and a higher than normal sink rate developed. The efficiency of the engine and propeller seemed lower than normal, which he attributed to the density altitude. Prior to touchdown, the airspeed was still higher than normal and the airplane touched down hard. Upon touchdown, the nose gear collapsed and the airplane skidded down the runway. The fuel lines broke and a fire erupted. The pilot said that the density altitude was 7,700 feet mean sea level (msl). He experienced a higher than normal sink rate on final and was unable to slow the descent in time to prevent a hard landing. The airport manager reported that the airplane "hit too hard," and on the second or third bounce the "nose hit the ground [and] the landing gear collapsed." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N235WC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N235WC-2011-11-09), registration cancelled 2011-11-09, S/N 001, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Lancair 235 - Registry model: [Conkey D R / Wapelhorst J A LANCAIR 235](https://openairdocs.org/model/conkey-d-r-wapelhorst-j-a-lancair-235) (registry code 056184V) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 001 - Engines: Lycoming 10-320 170 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Denis Cokey and Jim Wapelhorst - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: CMA, Camarillo, CA - Destination: PGA, Page, AZ - Airport: PGA, Page Municipal Airport, runway 33 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 715 total, 25 in this make and model, 584 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20030726030149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030726030149A), Jul 26, 2003: Amtr LANCAIR235, Page, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot states: he approached the airport too close on the downwind for landing and from a higher than normal altitude and airspeed. The aircraft hit… ## Other investigations on N235WC (1) 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 SEA96LA162](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA162), Jul 20, 1996: Conkey/Wapelhorst Lancair 235 (N235WC), Cottage Grove, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: release of the main landing gear locking mechanism for undetermined reason(s). 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.