# NTSB LAX90DUJ01: Roger Nelson Aeronica/T, N101E, Sierra Vista, AZ, October 8, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: October 8, 1989, 11:23 local (18:23 UTC)
- Place: Sierra Vista, AZ
- Coordinates: 31.58963, -110.170486 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5896&lon=-110.1705&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26541
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90DUJ01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26541/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90DUJ01

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INACCURATE PLACEMENT OF THE AIRCRAFT WHEELS INTO DEPRESSIONS IN A PLATFORM MOUNTED ON A MOVING PICKUP TRUCK DURING AN AIRSHOW PERFORMANCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear strut - overload
  - touchdown - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT WAS PART OF AN AIRSHOW ROUTINE DURING WHICH THE PILOT LANDS THE AIRCRAFT ON A PLATFORM MOUNTED ON A MOVING PICKUP TRUCK. THE PLATFORM HAS 10 INCH DEEP SEMICIRCULAR DEPRESSIONS WHERE THE AIRCRAFT WHEELS COME TO REST. THE PILOT MADE 3 ATTEMPTS TO LAND ON THE PLATFORM. ON THE THIRD ATTEMPT, THE WHEELS SETTLED INTO THE DEPRESSIONS. WITNESSES SAW THE AIRCRAFT IMMEDIATELY BEGIN TO PITCH FORWARD AND DOWN IN FRONT OF THE PLATFORM AS THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR STRUT FAILED IN AN AFT DIRECTION. REVIEW OF THE FAA ACCIDENT/INCIDENT FILES REVEALED THAT THE PILOT HAD A SIMILAR ACCIDENT IN 1988 WHILE PRACTICING THE AIRSHOW ROUTINE. NO UNUSUAL CHARACTERISTICS WERE OBSERVED ON THE FRACTURE FACE OF THE FAILED LANDING GEAR STRUT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N101E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N101E-2020-08-02), registration cancelled 2020-08-02, S/N 1 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROGER NELSON AERONICA/T
- Registry model: [Nelson Roger AERONICA T](https://openairdocs.org/model/nelson-roger-aeronica-t) (registry code 05616HK) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1
- Airframe hours: 91
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Roger C. Nelson
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, April 14, 1989, 91 hours before
- Departed: FHU, FT SIERRA VISTA, AZ
- Destination: FHU
- Airport: FHU, Sierra Vista Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,190 total, 91 in this make and model, 1,100 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 1 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FHU

## 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 19891008039209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891008039209A), Oct 8, 1989: Amtr AERONICAT, Fort Huachuca-S, AZ, Substantial damage. Right main landing gear collapsed while trying to land on a moving truck platform at airshow. Right wing hit ground

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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