# NTSB LAX06LA235: Alfred Long-EZ, N1014A, Hesperia, CA, July 11, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 11, 2006, 10:15 local (17:15 UTC) - Place: Hesperia, CA - Coordinates: 34.377223, -117.315834 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3772&lon=-117.3158&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 27, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 64139 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX06LA235 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64139/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06LA235 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain the proper glide path on final approach as a result of the visual illusions created by a narrow, upsloping runway. ## 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 - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - narrow - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - uphill - visual illusion, pilot in command (contributing factor) - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - fence ## Analysis The airplane collided with a fence while on final approach to the destination airport. While aligned on the final approach leg of the traffic pattern, the airplane encountered a downdraft, and the pilot attempted to increase the engine power and recover from the sudden descent. The airplane collided with a fence that was at the approach end of the runway then slid about 100 yards down the pavement before coming to rest off the right side of the runway surface. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine. The Airport/Facility Directory, Southwest U. S., indicated that the runway was 3,910 feet long and 50 feet wide, with a displaced threshold of 500 feet. The runway had an upsloping gradient, which was not noted in the directory. A Federal Aviation Administration publication states that a "narrower-than-usual runway can create the illusion that the aircraft is at a higher altitude than it actually is." It further states that a pilot who fails to recognize this illusion will "fly a lower approach, with the risk of striking objects along the approach path or landing short." The publication also addresses runway and terrain slopes illusions, stating that an, "upsloping runway, upsloping terrain, or both, can create the illusion that the aircraft is at a higher altitude than it actually is." Again, it warns that pilots who fail to recognize this illusion will fly a lower approach. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On July 11, 2006, about 1015 Pacific daylight time, an Alfred Long-EZ, N1014A, collided with a fence while on final approach to Hesperia Airport, Hesperia, California. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal local area flight departed from Apple Valley Airport, Apple Valley, California, about 0900. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. In a written statement, the pilot reported that he purchased the airplane 5 days prior to the accident. Following the sale, the previous owner, who was a certificated flight instructor (CFI), provided the pilot with 3 hours of dual instruction consisting of a familiarization checkout. The pilot flew about 3.5 hours between receiving instruction and the accident. The day of the accident, the pilot performed three touch-and-go practice takeoffs and landings at his home base of Apple Valley. He then departed to Big Bear City Airport, Big Bear, California, where he performed a full-stop landing. He taxied back to the active runway, and departed the airport en route to Hesperia. He noted that he had landed at the airport before in other airplane models, the last time being in early May 2006. The pilot further stated that as he entered the vicinity of the airport he observed that the wind was from the south, and opted to land on runway 21. While on final approach, the airplane encountered a downdraft, and the pilot pushed the throttle control forward in an attempt to increase the engine power and recover from the sudden descent. The airplane collided with a fence that was located at the approach end of the runway. The airplane descended in a flat attitude toward the runway asphalt, and skid about 100 yards before coming to rest off the right side of the runway surface. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION The pilot reported that the winds at the time of the accident were from 180 degrees at 15 knots and gusting to 20 knots. The closest official weather observation station was Ontario International Airport, Ontario, California, which was 24 nautical miles southwest from Hesperia. The airport's 0953 weather observation noted in part, winds from 210 degrees at 4 knots. A local Hesperia weather reporting station recorded the wind conditions at the time of the accident to be as follows: wind from the south-southwest at 2 miles per hour (mph), gusting to 10 mph. AERODROME INFORMATION The Airport/Facility Directory, Southwest U. S., indicated Hesperia runway 21 was 3,910 feet long and 50 feet wide, with a displaced threshold of 500 feet. The runway surface was composed of asphalt. There was no mention of the upsloping gradient of the runway. Accident History A review of previous accidents at Hesperia was conducted by searching the National Transportation Safety Board database. There were a total of seven accidents that occurred at the airport where the pilot impacted an object or misjudged the flare while attempting to land on runway 21. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Airman Information Manual (AIM) addresses illusions encountered on approaches to landing in chapter 8-1-5. It states that a "narrower-than-usual runway can create the illusion that the aircraft is at a higher altitude than it actually is." It further states that a pilot who fails to recognize this illusion will "fly a lower approach, with the risk of striking objects along the approach path or landing short." The AIM chapter additionally addresses runway and terrain slopes illusions, stating that an, "upsloping runway, upsloping terrain, or both, can create the illusion that the aircraft is at a higher altitude than it actually is." Again, it warns that pilots who fail to recognize this illusion will fly a lower approach. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1014A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1014A-2006-11-21), registration cancelled 2006-11-21, S/N 1014, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Alfred Long-EZ - Registry model: [Vicent Alfred LONG-EZE](https://openairdocs.org/model/vicent-alfred-long-eze) (registry code 056099W) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1014 - Engines: Lycoming O-235 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, May 1, 2006 - Departed: APV, Apple Valley, CA - Destination: L26, Hesperia, CA - Airport: L26, Hesperia Airport, runway 21, 3,910 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2006; seat: front; flight hours: 386 total, 10 in this make and model, 325 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: VCV, 13 nm away ## 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 20060711014609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060711014609A), Jul 11, 2006: Amtr LONGEZE, Hesperia, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot while on final approach, landed short striking a fence with right wing and landing gear, sliding 100', coming to rest upright slightly off right… 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.