# NTSB NYC95LA025: Lee Pazmany PL-4A, N337RL, Orange, MA, November 13, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 13, 1994, 15:39 local (20:39 UTC)
- Place: Orange, MA
- Location: 42.5700° N, 72.2885° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at ORANGE MUNI (ORE), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5700&lon=-72.2885&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 26, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38899
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC95LA025
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38899/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95LA025

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper flare which resulted in a hard landing, collapse of the main gear, and inflight collision with the ground.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing
  - landing gear,main gear - overload
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON THE GRASS BESIDE RUNWAY 01. THE AIRPLANE LANDED HARD, BOUNCED, COLLAPSED THE MAIN LANDING GEAR, IMPACTED THE GROUND NOSE FIRST.  THE PILOT WAS INJURED DURING THE IMPACT SEQUENCE WHEN HIS HEAD STRUCK THE CANOPY.  ACCORDING TO THE FAA, RESCUE PERSONNEL, REPORTED THAT WHEN THEY ARRIVED AT THE CRASH SITE, THE PILOT WAS NOT BUCKLED TO THE SEAT, AND WAS SITTING ON THE SEAT BELTS.

## Factual narrative

On November 13, 1994, at 1539 eastern standard time, a Pazmany PL-4A, N337RL, an experimental airplane, owned and piloted by Robert W. Lee, was substantially damaged during a landing at the Orange Airport, Orange, Massachusetts.  The pilot was fatally injured.   Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.  The flight was operated under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot was attempting to land on the grass beside Runway 01. The airplane landed hard, bounced, collapsed the main landing gear, and impacted the ground nose first.  The pilot was injured during the impact sequence when his head struck the canopy.

According to the FAA, rescue personnel, reported that when they arrived at the crash site, the pilot was not buckled to the seat, and was sitting on the seat belts.  The pilot survived the accident but died of his injuries on November 19, 1994.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N337RL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N337RL-1996-02-24), registration cancelled 1996-02-24, S/N 573 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LEE PAZMANY PL-4A (PAZMANY PL)
- Registry model: [Lee Robert W PAZMANY PL-4A](https://openairdocs.org/model/lee-robert-w-pazmany-pl-4a) (registry code 05608G8) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 573
- Airframe hours: 2
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A75-8 75 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert Lee
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Airport: ORE, Orange Municipal, runway 1, 5,000 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 650 total, 2 in this make and model, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 19941113045329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941113045329A), Nov 13, 1994: Amtrpz PL4A, Orange, MA, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Tried to land on grass adjencent runway. Made hard landing. Bounced pilots head hit canopy. Sitting on seat belt.

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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