# NTSB NYC06CA067: Pergerson Highlander, N8146P, Appomattox, VA, January 30, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: January 30, 2006, 13:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Appomattox, VA
- Coordinates: 37.305831, -78.87889
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3058&lon=-78.8789&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 28, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Richmond, VA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 63185
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC06CA067
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63185/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06CA067

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. A factor in the accident was the pilot's improper use of flaps.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing - aborted
  - flaps - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

The pilot attempted a landing to an approximately 1,200-foot long field. The field was located on a level plateau-like area, surrounded by downward sloping terrain. The airplane touched down, "yawed" to the left, and then bounced in the direction of the downward sloping terrain. The pilot believed that the airplane had "remained in ground effect" longer than he thought it should, so he decided to abort the landing. During the aborted landing, the airplane contacted trees and was substantially damaged. The pilot stated that he should have "used right rudder more aggressively" to counteract the left yaw and that he should have retracted the wing flaps, which were still in the 30-degree position during the aborted landing.

## Factual narrative

The pilot attempted a landing to an approximately 1,200-foot long field. The field was located on a level plateau-like area, surrounded by downward sloping terrain. The airplane touched down, "yawed" to the left, and then bounced in the direction of the downward sloping terrain. The pilot believed that the airplane had "remained in ground effect" longer than he thought it should, so he decided to abort the landing. During the aborted landing, the airplane contacted trees and was substantially damaged. The pilot stated that he should have "used right rudder more aggressively" to counteract the left yaw and that he should have retracted the wing flaps, which were still in the 30-degree position during the aborted landing.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8146P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8146P), registered now, S/N JAESC0071, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Pergerson Highlander
- Registry model: [Pergerson William HIGHLANDER](https://openairdocs.org/model/pergerson-william-highlander) (registry code 056198D) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: JAE00071
- Airframe hours: 78
- Engines: Jabiru 2200A 80 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2005, 78 hours before
- Departed: FVX, Farmville, VA
- Destination: NONE, Appomattox, VA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; student; medical: sport pilot; seat: front; flight hours: 38 total, 38 in this make and model, 13 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 0 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 29.75 inHg
- Observed at: FVX, 27 nm away

## 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 20060130001439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060130001439A), Jan 30, 2006: Justac HIGHLANDER, Appomattox, VA, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot [privacy data omitted] a student pilot was practicing soft field landings on his property when the accident occurred. The pilot [privacy data…

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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