# NTSB LAX83LA224: Goldwing Dragan, N3225D, Gilbert, AZ, May 7, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 7, 1983, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Gilbert, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.359428, -111.750686 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3594&lon=-111.7507&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23706
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA224
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23706/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA224

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT/OWNER HAD ASSEMBLED THE ACFT FROM A KIT APRX 1 YR PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. HE REPORTED THAT THE ACFT WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH BRAKES. WHEN HE RETURNED TO LAND AT THE ULTRALIGHT FLT PARK, HE DECIDED TO MAKE A LOW, SHORT FINAL APCH TO DECREASE THE STOPPAGE DISTANCE. NEAR THE APCH END OF THE RWY, THERE WAS A PERPENDICULAR ROAD THAT WAS ELEVATED 3 TO 4 FT ABOVE THE LANDING AREA. THE PLT STATED THAT THE NOSE WHEEL IMPACTED THE NORTH SIDE OF THE ROAD, ABOUT 3 TO 4 INCHES FROM THE TOP. AFTER HITTING THE ROAD, THE ACFT BOUNCED UPWARDS, STALLED & IMPACTED ON THE RWY, COLLAPSING THE NOSE GEAR. THE ACFT THEN GROUND LOOPED & COLLAPSED THE MAIN GEAR. THE WIND WAS REPORTEDLY FROM THE SOUTH AT 5 TO 10 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3225D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3225D-1983-08-09), registration cancelled 1983-08-09, S/N 173, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GOLDWING DRAGAN
- Registry model: [Dragan Gerry JR GOLDWING](https://openairdocs.org/model/dragan-gerry-jr-goldwing) (registry code 05613ZS) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 173
- Airframe hours: 25
- Engines: CUYUNA 30RD 30 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gerry J. Dragan, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 14, 1983, 8 hours before
- Airport: Ultralight Co Flt Park, runway 18, 800 × 120 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 85 total, 25 in this make and model, 34 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19830507018279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830507018279A), May 7, 1983: Amtr GOLDWING, Gilbert, AZ, Substantial damage. Struck a raised portion of a road on short final. Bounced up and stalled. Collapsed the gear on ground loop impact

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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