# NTSB NYC07CA222: Lancair IV-P, N335DF, Alabaster, AL, September 11, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 11, 2007, 09:37 local (14:37 UTC)
- Place: Alabaster, AL
- Coordinates: 33.176944, -86.782775
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1769&lon=-86.7828&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66646
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC07CA222
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66646/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07CA222

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, landing
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

Upon arrival at his destination airport the pilot of an amateur built Lancair IV-P, joined the traffic pattern for landing.  During the final approach for landing, the airplane touched down about 8 feet prior to the paved runway surface.  Both main gear wheels then impacted the edge of the runway pavement, which was approximately 4 inches higher than the surrounding terrain.  The right main landing gear wheel separated from the gear leg and the pilot attempted to keep the airplane on the runway centerline.  He was unsuccessful, and the airplane veered to the right.  It then departed the right side of the runway, impacted a ditch, and then trees.  The airplane came to rest after impacting the trees, and had sustained substantial damage.  The pilot reported that the air was smooth prior to the approach and that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot, the air was smooth and there were no mechanical malfunctions with the amateur built Lancair IV-P.  Upon arrival at his destination airport, he joined the traffic pattern for landing.  During the final approach for landing, the airplane touched down about 8 feet prior to the paved runway surface.  Both main gear wheels then impacted the edge of the runway pavement, which was approximately 4 inches higher than the surrounding terrain.  The right main landing gear wheel separated from the gear leg and the pilot applied "full" left brake and rudder input in an attempt to keep the airplane on the runway centerline.  He was unsuccessful, and the airplane began veering to the right.  It then departed the right side of the runway, and impacted a ditch which sheared the nose landing gear and collapsed both main landing gear legs.  The airplane came to rest approximately 12 feet beyond the ditch after impacting trees, and had sustained substantial damage.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N335DF (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: LANCAIR IV-P
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: LIV231
- Airframe hours: 404
- Engines: Continental TSIO-550-E2B 350 hp reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, March 1, 2007
- Departed: TCL, Tuscaloosa, AL
- Destination: EET, Alabaster, AL
- Airport: EET, Shelby County Airport, runway 15, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 1,274 total, 404 in this make and model, 1,059 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observed at: EET

## 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 20070911019519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070911019519A), Sep 11, 2007: Amtr LANCAIRIVP, Alabaster, AL, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated that landing sequence was normal with VMC conditions and 4 knots variable winds. On short final at 90 knots, pilot added a little power.…

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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