# NTSB LAX06CA163: Indus T211, N160SE, Death Valley, CA, May 4, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 4, 2006, 13:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Death Valley, CA
- Coordinates: 36.806945, -117.781669
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8069&lon=-117.7817&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 29, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 63650
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX06CA163
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63650/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06CA163

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed during final approach, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/mush and collision with terrain.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - encountered, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The airplane collided with terrain about 1,300 feet short of the runway.  The pilot extended the downwind leg of the traffic pattern to allow for adequate separation at his destination airport.  While turning onto final approach he extended the flaps to the 20-degree position and reduced the airspeed to 60 miles per hour (mph).  As the airplane approached the runway the pilot noted that he was too close to the ground with too slow of an airspeed.  He applied full power but the airplane settled toward the terrain.  The pilot noted no pre impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The airplane collided with terrain about 1,300 feet short of the runway.  As the airplane entered the vicinity of the destination, the pilot opted to circle the gravel airstrip to assess the wind conditions.  He noted the landing strip was sloping, comprised of gravel, and measured about 1,300 feet long by 50 feet wide.  The windsock indicated calm wind conditions and he decided to land upslope following an airplane ahead.  The pilot extended the downwind leg of the traffic pattern to allow for adequate separation and configured the airplane with 10 degrees of wing flaps.

As the pilot turned onto final approach he further extended the flaps to the 20-degree position and reduced the airspeed to 60 miles per hour (mph).  As the airplane approached the runway the pilot noted that he was too close to the ground with too slow of an airspeed.  He applied full power but the airplane settled toward the terrain, impacting about 1,300 feet short of the runway.

The pilot noted no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N160SE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N160SE-2009-01-13), registration cancelled 2009-01-13, S/N 016S, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Indus Aviation T211
- Registry model: [Indus T211 THORPEDO](https://openairdocs.org/model/indus-t211-thorpedo) (registry code 0600000) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 016
- Engines: Jabiru 3300 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special)
- Departed: BIH, Bishop, CA
- Destination: Death Valley, CA
- Airport: NONE, Saline Valley Landing Zone, runway 05, 1,300 × 50 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 75; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; flight hours: 244 total, 23 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F

## 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 20060504007709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060504007709A), May 4, 2006: Indusa T211THORPEDO, Saline Valley, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) During approach and landing at Saline Valley, CA airport, aircraft landed approx 200 yds short of runway after pilot allowed aircraft to become too low…

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.

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