# NTSB MIA06CA081: Woolley John A Lancair 320, N200JW, Lakeland, FL, April 6, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 6, 2006, 09:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Lakeland, FL
- Coordinates: 27.9925, -82.019996
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9925&lon=-82.0200&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 3, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Orlando, Florida
- NTSB case key (mKey): 63464
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA06CA081
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63464/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA06CA081

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper landing flare/touchdown which resulted in a hard landing and damage to the airplane.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that the approach was normal, and as he flared the airplane it suddenly dropped hard causing the left main landing gear to separate from the airplane. He said that the left main landing gear strut then dug into the runway and the airplane veered left, hitting a four-foot ditch.  According to the pilot, prior to the accident there was no mechanical failures and malfunctions to the airplane or any of its systems.

## Factual narrative

On April 6, 2006, about 0930 eastern standard time, a  John A. Wolley Lancair 320 amateur built airplane, N200JW, registered to and operated by a private individual, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 flight, had a hard landing at South Lakeland Airport, Mulberry, Florida.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.  The private-rated pilot and passenger were not injured, and the airplane incurred substantial damage.  The flight originated from Palm Beach County Park Airport, West Palm Beach, Florida, the same day, about 0840.

The pilot stated that the approach was normal, and as he flared the airplane it suddenly dropped hard causing the left main landing gear to separate from the airplane. He said that the left main landing gear strut then dug into the runway and the airplane veered left, hitting a four-foot ditch.  According to the pilot, prior to the accident there was no mechanical failures and malfunctions to the airplane or any of its systems.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N200JW (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Woolley John A Lancair 320
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 492
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John A. Woolley, doing business as Composite Aviation INC
- Registered owner: Composite Aviation INC
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: LNA, Lantana, FL
- Destination: X49, Mulberry, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 75; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2005; flight hours: 1,984 total, 665 in this make and model, 1,984 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observed at: LAL

## 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 20060406006449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060406006449A), Apr 6, 2006: Amtr LANCAIR320, Mulberry, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot made hard, short landing. Left main gear broke off, aircraft skidded off the left side of runway, through ditch, and into road. Nose gear and 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.

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