# NTSB LAX04CA242: Vans RV-9A, N93AZ, The Sea Ranch, CA, June 17, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 17, 2004, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: The Sea Ranch, CA - Coordinates: 38.704723, -123.432502 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7047&lon=-123.4325&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 1, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 59458 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04CA242 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59458/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA242 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for gusty crosswind conditions and failure to maintain proper runway alignment, resulting in a collision with trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, landing - aborted - weather condition - gusts - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - crosswind - object - tree(s) - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The airplane impacted trees during an aborted landing. On final approach, with the airplane on runway centerline, the pilot encountered turbulence. Upon touchdown, the airplane bounced and veered to the left. As the airplane approached the left edge of the runway, the pilot opted to abort the landing. After the airplane became airborne, it encountered a gust of wind and continued the left drift. About 10 feet above ground level, the airplane impacted trees that bordered the left side of the runway. A witness reported to the pilot, that he felt a gust of wind while watching the airplane collide with the surrounding trees. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On June 17, 2004, about 1230 Pacific daylight time, a Vans RV-9A, N93AZ, impacted trees during an aborted landing at The Sea Ranch Airport, The Sea Ranch, California. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal cross-country flight departed Gustine Airport, Gustine, California, about 1115, with a planned destination of The Sea Ranch. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. In a written statement, the pilot reported that he was attempting to land on runway 30. He reported that the windsocks at the airport were all in different positions, indicating that the winds were variable. On final approach, with the airplane on runway centerline, he encountered turbulence. Upon touchdown, the airplane drifted to the left and he initiated a go-around by applying full power and retracting flaps. During the initial climb out, the airplane continued to the left, and the pilot attempted to counteract the drift. About 10 feet above ground level, the airplane impacted trees that bordered the left side of the runway. During a telephone conversation with a National Transporation Safety Board investigator, the pilot reported that upon touchdown, the airplane bounced and veered to the left. As the airplane approached the left edge of the runway, he opted to abort the landing. He added full power and began to retract the flaps in an effort to gain altitude. After the airplane became airborne, it encountered a gust of wind. The airplane flipped over on the left side and impacted trees. The pilot further noted that after the accident he talked to a witness on the ground. The witness told him that he felt a gust of wind from a southwesterly direction as he watched the airplane collide with the surrounding trees. The airplane incurred damage to the propeller, nose gear, tail, and fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N93AZ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N93AZ), registered now, S/N 90017, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Vans Aircraft RV-9A - Registry model: [Martin Pierre MARTIN VAN RV-9A](https://openairdocs.org/model/martin-pierre-martin-van-rv-9a) (registry code 056157Q) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320-E2D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-e2d) (registry code 42123, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 90017 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-DIA reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Martin Pierre - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: 3O1, Gustine, CA - Destination: CA51, The Sea Ranch, CA - Airport: CA51, The Sea Ranch Airport, runway 30 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 165 total, 62 in this make and model, 160 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## 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 20040617010999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040617010999A), Jun 17, 2004: Amtr RV9A, The Sea Ranch, CA, Destroyed. (-23) Pilot reported that he lost control of aircraft while attempting a short field landing on a private airport. According to the pilot, during his approach… 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.