# NTSB LAX04CA316: Smith S-51D, N51VS, Lancaster, CA, September 12, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 12, 2004, 07:50 local (14:50 UTC) - Place: Lancaster, CA - Coordinates: 34.740001, -118.220001 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7400&lon=-118.2200&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 3, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 60143 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04CA316 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60143/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA316 ## Probable cause the pilot's misjudged landing flare, failure to correct the descent rate, and failure to execute a go-around during an unstablized landing approach. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - descent - not corrected, pilot in command (cause) - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The airplane impacted the runway in a 3-point attitude, the main landing gear forks fractured, and the airplane skidded off the right side of the runway. The pilot/owner/builder had just recently completed fabricating the airplane, and the purpose of the flight was to develop emergency procedures for engine out landings. The pilot configured the airplane with the landing gear down, flaps up, and the engine at 3,800 rpm (1,784 propeller rpm). He would perform the maneuver at 110 knots. The first attempt left him rolling onto final 1/4 mile short of the runway, so he added power and did a touch-and-go. During the second attempt the pilot overshot the runway extended centerline and executed a go-around. On the third attempt the pilot had the airplane on final, at 200 feet agl, on the runway extended centerline, and about 100 knots. He pulled the stick back to arrest the sink rate. He noted that the angle of attack (AOA) indicator was reading three red dots (indicating that the airplane was within 10 percent of stalling), and the airplane impacted the runway in a 3-point attitude. The main landing gear forks fractured, and the airplane skidded off the right side of the runway, traveling some 600 feet beyond the impact point. ## Factual narrative On September 12, 2004, about 0750 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Smith S-51D, N51VS, experienced a hard landing at William J. Fox Airport, Lancaster, California. The pilot/builder/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot was not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. The flight originated at William J. Fox Airport about 0730. The pilot reported to the Safety Board investigator-in-charge that he had just recently completed fabricating his S-51D, and the first flight was on June 11, 2004. Since then he had accumulated 11.3 flight hours in the airplane. The purpose of the September 12th flight was to develop emergency procedures for engine out landings. He would enter the traffic pattern at 4,000 feet (1,700 feet above ground level (agl)) for runway 24 using a modified overhead left-hand 270-degree turning maneuver. He set the engine rpm at 3,800, which corresponded to 1,784 propeller rpm. The purpose of this engine setting was to allow for quick power response if a go-around was necessary; however, this setting also significantly increased the drag on the airplane. The pilot configured the airplane with the landing gear down, flaps up, and the engine at 3,800 rpm. He would perform the maneuver at 110 knots. The first attempt left him rolling onto final 1/4 mile short of the runway, so he added power and did a touch-and-go. During the second attempt the pilot overshot the runway extended centerline and executed a go-around. The pilot guessed that his rate of descent during this type of approach was between 3,000 and 4,000 feet per minute. On the third attempt the pilot had the airplane on final, at 200 feet agl, on the runway extended centerline, and about 100 knots. He pulled the stick back to arrest the sink rate. He noted that the angle of attack (AOA) indicator was reading three red dots (indicating that the airplane was within 10 percent of stalling), and the airplane impacted the runway in a 3-point attitude. The main landing gear forks fractured, and the airplane skidded off the right side of the runway, traveling some 600 feet beyond the impact point. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N51VS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51VS-2011-12-19), registration cancelled 2011-12-19, S/N 162, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Smith S-51D - Registry model: [Smith Owen I STEWART S51D](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-owen-i-stewart-s51d) (registry code 05608ZB) (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: 162 - Engines: Smith V-8 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Owen Smith - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: KWJF, Lancaster, CA - Destination: KWJF, Lancaster, CA - Airport: KWJF, William J Fox, runway 24 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 2,391 total, 11 in this make and model, 19 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 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 20040912030039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040912030039A), Sep 12, 2004: Amtr S51D, Lancaster, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft impacted runway on landing about 700' from the approach end and slid off right side of runway. ## Other investigations on N51VS (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 LAX08LA263](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08LA263), Aug 9, 2008: Smith Stewart S51D (N51VS), Oxnard, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power for an undetermined reason. 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.