# NTSB LAX97LA271: Miller S-1, N22RM, Cottonwood, AZ, August 4, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 4, 1997, 08:50 local (15:50 UTC) - Place: Cottonwood, AZ - Coordinates: 33.38097, -112.549537 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3810&lon=-112.5495&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 10, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29862 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA271 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29862/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA271 ## Probable cause The inadequate strength and braking capability of the landing gear and wheel brakes, and the builder's attempt to adapt motorcycle parts to an aircraft application. A factor in this accident was the pilot's lack of familiarity with this experimental aircraft. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - flight control,rudder - inadequate (cause) - landing gear,tailwheel assembly - inadequate (cause) - landing gear,main gear - inadequate (cause) - landing gear,normal brake system - inadequate (cause) - maintenance,installation - inadequate, owner/builder (cause) - acft/equip,inadequate design, owner/builder (cause) - landing gear,normal brake system - failure (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll ## Analysis The pilot departed the morning of the accident to get the feel of the airplane. He was coming in for his fourth touchdown when he said he came in too fast and rolled out too far. He stated the left brake did not respond. A postaccident examination of the aircraft was conducted by an FAA airworthiness inspector. He reported that the aircraft design had several deficiencies. The rudder was very small and the 2-inch tail wheel horn was short. The wheels and brakes were from a Honda motorcycle, which was originally designed for a 200 pound motorcycle. This aircraft weighs approximately 1,200 pounds. The pilot had 2 hours of flight time in this airplane prior to the accident flight. There were no preimpact failures noted on the wheels and brakes. ## Factual narrative On August 4, 1997, at 0850 hours mountain standard time, a Miller S-1, N22RM, ground looped during landing at Cottonwood, Arizona. The aircraft sustained substantial damage and the commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a personal flight under 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The flight originated at Montezuma Airport, Camp Verde, Arizona, at 0830. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. According to the information provided in his report, the pilot had 2 hours in this particular aircraft. The pilot stated that he took off the morning of the accident flight to "get the feel of the aircraft and how it controlled and reacted." When he landed during his fourth touchdown, he said he "came in a little too fast and the roll out was too far." He stated that the right brake responded but that the left brake did not respond. The airplane went off the right side of runway 32 and came to rest at a 90-degree angle to the runway. An FAA airworthiness inspector from the Scottsdale, Arizona, Flight Standards District Office examined the aircraft. He reported that the aircraft design had several deficiencies. He found that the rudder was too small for this aircraft and stated that the rudder would have no steering effect while the tail wheel was on the ground. Additionally, he stated that the tail wheel horn arm was minimal and would be very unresponsive considering the 2-inch diameter size of the tail wheel. He also reported that the main wheels and brakes are from a Honda "50" motorcycle. The original motorcycle design was intended to support a 200-pound vehicle. The aircraft is approximately 1,200 pounds. The inspector could not find any evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction with the landing gear or brake systems. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N22RM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N22RM-2002-02-05), registration cancelled 2002-02-05, S/N 001, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Miller S-1 - Registry model: [Miller Raymond E S-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/miller-raymond-e-s-1) (registry code 0564695) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 001 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Roy W. Miller - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: 7E7, CAMP VERDE, AZ - Destination: P52 - Airport: P-52, Cottonwood, runway 32, 4,250 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 4,910 total, 2 in this make and model, 4,834 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: FLG ## 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 19970804020799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970804020799A), Aug 4, 1997: Amtr MILLERA, Cottonwood, AZ, Substantial damage. Veered off rwy on landing roll. Blamed brake. Design empannage inadequate. Motorcycle brakes. No other anomalies. 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.