# NTSB NYC07CA099: Monocoupe 90A, N11798, Lakeland, FL, April 19, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 19, 2007, 19:35 local (23:35 UTC)
- Place: Lakeland, FL
- Coordinates: 27.988889, -82.018333
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9889&lon=-82.0183&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 27, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 65647
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC07CA099
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65647/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07CA099

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper flare and failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in a stall and subsequent loss of control.  A factor was the sun glare.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

As the pilot flared for landing, the setting sun "got into [his] eyes," and he misjudged the airplane's height above the runway.  He flared "too high," the airplane "stalled," rolled to the right, and impacted a ditch that was parallel to the runway.  The pilot reported he could have prevented the accident by increasing his approach to landing speed and initiating the flare closer to the ground.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot, as he flared the Monocoupe 90A for landing, the setting sun "got into [his] eyes," and he misjudged the airplane's height above the runway.  He flared "too high," the airplane "stalled," rolled to the right, and impacted a ditch that was parallel to the runway.  The pilot reported he could have prevented the accident by increasing his approach to landing speed and initiating the flare closer to the ground.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N11798](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N11798-2012-06-04), registration cancelled 2012-06-04, S/N A-722, built 1936 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Monocoupe Aircraft 90A
- Registry model: [Monocoupe 90A](https://openairdocs.org/model/monocoupe-90a) (registry code 5810104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lambert R266](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lambert-r266) (registry code 38501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: A-722
- Airframe hours: 1060
- Engines: Lambert R-266 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Daniel Sommer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2006
- Departed: OCF, Ocala, FL
- Destination: LAL, Lakeland, FL
- Airport: LAL, Lakeland Linder Regional, runway 27, 8,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 838 total, 50 in this make and model, 797 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 30° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.80 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 20070419008619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070419008619A), Apr 19, 2007: Mncoup 90A, Lakeland, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) On Thursday, 19 April 2007 at approximately 1929 EDT, a monocoupe 90-A piloted by [privacy data omitted], experienced a hard landing alongside the runway…

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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