# NTSB LAX94LA060: Albrecht Polywagon, N320PW, Vacaville, CA, November 26, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 26, 1993, 10:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Vacaville, CA - Coordinates: 38.409908, -122.010444 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4099&lon=-122.0104&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report September 13, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28610 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA060 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28610/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA060 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft during a go-around. Factors in the accident were the wind shear conditions and the pilot's failure to adequately balance the fuel load during the flight. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr) - weather condition - windshear (contributing factor) - fuel supply - inattentive, pilot in command (contributing factor) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr) - object - tree(s) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis An FAA inspector who witnessed the accident said the aircraft was on a go-around near the runway's midpoint when the left wing suddenly dropped. The aircraft turned left, collided with trees bordering the airport, and cartwheeled into a field. He reported that the winds were from the northwest at 12 knots with gusts to 20 knots. He stated that trees line the runway which can create wind shear conditions in cross wind situations. The pilot said that he flared high and bounced on the runway during the landing approach, and initiated a go-around. During the go-around, the pilot said he could not control the aircraft and the left wing dropped. The aircraft then turned and collided with trees. The pilot said that a fuel imbalance may have contributed to the loss of lateral control. FAA inspectors said that about 18 months ago the pilot crashed the aircraft during its first test flight. The pilot rebuilt the aircraft and this was the first flight. ## Factual narrative On November 26, 1993, at 1000 Pacific standard time, an experimental homebuilt Albrecht Polywagon aircraft, N320PW, collided with trees and the ground during an attempted go-around at the Nutree Airport, Vacaville, California. The aircraft, owned and operated by Robert T. Albrecht of Suisun, California, was on its initial test flight following a complete rebuilding. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the operation. The aircraft was destroyed in the collision sequence. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. The flight originated at Vacaville, California, on the day of the mishap at 0945 hours as a local area test flight. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operations inspector from the Sacramento, California, Flight Standards District Office, witnessed the accident. He reported observing the aircraft on a go-around near the midpoint of runway 20 when the left wing suddenly dropped. The aircraft turned to the left, collided with trees bordering the airport, and cartwheeled into a field. The inspector reported that the winds were from the northwest at 12 knots with higher gusts in the 15-to-20 knot range. He stated that trees line the runway which, in his experience, can create wind shear conditions in crosswind situations. On November 30th, the FAA inspector was able to interview the pilot in the hospital. The pilot reported that he flared high and bounced on the runway during the landing approach, and he subsequently initiated a go-around. The pilot said he thought he struck the tail, damaging the rudder hinges. During the go- round, the pilot said he could not control the aircraft and the left wing dropped. The aircraft then turned and collided with trees. The pilot also speculated that, since he had flown about one-half hour on the left fuel tank, a possible fuel imbalance may have contributed to the inability to control the aircraft. The responding FAA inspector reported that about 18 months ago the pilot crashed the aircraft during its first test flight following initial construction. The pilot rebuilt the aircraft and obtained FAA approval for a new test flight. Airworthiness inspectors from the Sacramento FAA Flight Standards District Office examined the empennage and its associated control system for damage. According to the inspector, no evidence was observed to indicate that the tail of the aircraft struck the runway during the initial landing bounce. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N320PW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N320PW-1994-02-08), registration cancelled 1994-02-08, S/N 13 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ALBRECHT POLYWAGON - Registry model: [Albrecht Robert T POLLIWAGEN](https://openairdocs.org/model/albrecht-robert-t-polliwagen) (registry code 05616MZ) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 13 - Airframe hours: 1 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Operator: Robert T. Albrecht - Registered owner: Robert T. Albrecht - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, November 23, 1993, 1 hours before - Departed: O45 - Airport: O45, Vacaville Nut Tree, runway 2, 3,800 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 14,039 total, 2 in this make and model, 9,400 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 12 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 19931126044609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931126044609A), Nov 26, 1993: Amtr POLLIWAGON, Vacaville, CA, Destroyed. Bounced began go around. Crosswind dipped a wing. Veered into trees. First solo flight in rebuilt homebuilt. 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.