# NTSB LAX05LA064: Jimmy Hill Lancair 235, N124JH, El Cajon, CA, January 12, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 12, 2005, 14:38 local (22:38 UTC) - Place: El Cajon, CA - Coordinates: 32.82611, -116.972503 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8261&lon=-116.9725&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious - Status: Completed, report March 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Textron-Lycoming, Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 60860 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX05LA064 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60860/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05LA064 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain the proper glidepath to avoid obstacles and terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - object - fence - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The airplane collided with an airport boundary fence about 500 feet short of the runway's approach end while on final approach for landing. A witness driving a pickup truck said that she saw the airplane cross in front of her truck about 10 feet above the ground going very fast and low. Immediately after the airplane crossed her path, it struck the airport boundary fence with its right main landing gear and impacted the dirt terrain beyond. The wreckage was about 500 feet from the approach end of the runway, and about 1,800 feet from the runway's displaced threshold. The passenger of the airplane said that this was her first flight with the pilot. She recalls that the flight was very pleasant, and the pilot did not express any concerns regarding the airplane or the environment. As they approached the runway for landing the pilot said to her "Do you see the runway? I will reduce some power for landing." Moments after that statement the airplane collided with the airport boundary fence. Examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of a preimpact malfunction or failure of the control system or power plant. ## Factual narrative On January 12, 2005, at 1438 Pacific standard time, a Lancair 235, N124JH, collided with a fence while on final approach for landing at Gillespie Field, El Cajon, California. The commercial pilot/owner operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot was fatally injured and the passenger was seriously injured; the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. The flight originated in Yuma, Arizona, about 1330. A witness driving a pickup truck told the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that she saw the airplane cross in front of her truck about 10 feet above the ground going very fast and low. Immediately after the airplane crossed her path, it struck the airport boundary fence with the right main landing gear, and impacted the dirt terrain beyond. The airport manager said that the wreckage was about 500 feet from the approach end of runway 27 right, and about 1,800 feet from the runway's displaced threshold. The passenger of the airplane stated that this was her first flight with the pilot. She recalls that the flight was very pleasant, and the pilot did not express any concerns regarding the airplane or the environment. As they approached the runway for landing the pilot said to her "Do you see the runway? I will reduce some power for landing." Moments after that statement the airplane collided with the airport boundary fence. On January 24, 2005, the Safety Board investigator and Textron-Lycoming technical representative examined the airplane and engine. The airplane's flight control cables and connections were traced from the cockpit to their respective control surfaces, demonstrating continuity. The right main landing gear sheared half off at mid strut, and the left main landing gear strut was intact. Seven gallons of fuel was recovered from the left fuel tank and 12 gallons were recovered from the right tank. During the engine exam, they achieved thumb compression on all cylinders, all valves lifted an appropriate amount and in firing order, and magneto timing on both magnetos was determined to be 25 degrees. The spark plugs were gray in color, which corresponded to normal service wear according to the Champion Aviation Check-A-Plug chart (AV-27), and they did not exhibit any mechanical damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N124JH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N124JH-2007-10-26), registration cancelled 2007-10-26, S/N 001, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Jimmy Hill Lancair 235 - Registry model: [Hill Jimmy LANCAIR 235](https://openairdocs.org/model/hill-jimmy-lancair-235) (registry code 05626K4) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 001 - Engines: Textron Lycoming O-320 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James G Thompson Jr - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: KYUM, Yuma, AZ - Destination: SEE, El Cajon, CA - Airport: KSEE, Gillespie Field, runway 27R, 5,341 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: fatal; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 289 total, 96 in this make and model, 194 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 6 knots - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KSEE ## 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 20050112001689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050112001689A), Jan 12, 2005: Amtr LANCAIR235, El Cajon, CA, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. (-23) On 1/12/05, Lancair 235, N124JH, collided with a fence while on final approach for landing at Gillespie field, El Cajon, CA. Flight conducted under CFR… 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.