# NTSB SEA08CA172: Lyons Navajo HKS, N1762C, Waterville, WA, August 7, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 6, 2008, 17:10 local (Aug 7, 2008, 00:10 UTC) - Place: Waterville, WA - Coordinates: 47.799999, -119.800003 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.8000&lon=-119.8000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Turbulence encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Spokane, Washington - NTSB case key (mKey): 68646 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA08CA172 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68646/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08CA172 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering. Contributing to the accident was a microburst condition. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: microburst](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034050): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Lyons Robert NAVAJO HKS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034050/cases.md?model=05903LC), [All aircraft, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034050/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Lyons Robert NAVAJO HKS, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05903LC), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Turbulence encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360) (defining event); cases with it: [Lyons Robert NAVAJO HKS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md?model=05903LC), [All aircraft, 423 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Lyons Robert NAVAJO HKS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05903LC), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Lyons Robert NAVAJO HKS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05903LC), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The sport pilot flight instructor reported that while maneuvering during a local instructional flight, he noticed dust forming in a circular pattern in the air near their position. The student pilot, who was flying the airplane, initiated a climbing 180-degree turn towards their point of departure. While approaching a ridge line about 800 feet above ground level, the instructor noted the turbulence was increasing, and when the airplane started to descend, he took the controls. The instructor stated that despite using full throttle, the airplane continued to descend rapidly while "getting forced down by a microburst," prompting him to initiate a forced landing in an open field. The instructor added that due to the low altitude, he was unable to align the airplane with the rows of dirt. During the approach to landing, the airplane "caught some lift" and subsequently entered a "strong down draft" and impacted the ground. Examination of the airplane by the instructor revealed that both wings and fuselage framing were structurally damaged. The instructor stated that there were no mechanical anomalies with the engine or flight control system that would have prevented normal operation. ## Factual narrative The sport pilot flight instructor reported that while maneuvering during a local instructional flight, he noticed dust forming in a circular pattern within the air near their position. The student pilot, who was flying the airplane, initiated a climbing 180-degree turn towards their point of departure. While approaching a ridge line about 800 feet above ground level, the instructor noted the turbulence was increasing while the airplane started to descend and took control of the airplane. The instructor stated that despite using full throttle, the airplane continued to descend rapidly while "getting forced down by a microburst," prompting him to initiate a forced landing into an open field. The instructor added that due to the low altitude, he was unable to align the airplane with the rows of dirt. During the approach to landing, the airplane "caught some lift" and subsequently entered a "strong down draft" and impacted the ground. Examination of the airplane by the instructor revealed that both wings and fuselage framing were structurally damaged. The instructor stated that there were no mechanical anomalies with the engine or flight control system that would have prevented normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1762C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1762C), registered now, S/N 74178, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Lyons Navajo HKS - Registry model: [Lyons Robert NAVAJO HKS](https://openairdocs.org/model/lyons-robert-navajo-hks) (registry code 05903LC) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [HKS 700E](https://openairdocs.org/engine/hks-700e) (registry code 33777, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 74178 - Engines: HKS Aviation 700E 60 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: John Winkenwader - Registered owner: Robert Lyons - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: S10, Chelan, WA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 47; injuries: minor; sport pilot, flight instructor; medical: sport pilot; last flight review May 1, 2008; flight hours: 397 total, 64 in this make and model, 343 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; injuries: serious; student; medical: sport pilot; flight hours: 8 total, 6 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,800 ft overcast - Temperature: 93 °F - Observed at: S10, 10 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 20080806841979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080806841979A), Aug 6, 2008: Substantial damage. (-23) [privacy data omitted] was giving dual instruction to [privacy data omitted] in a lyons rober navajo hks an experimental weight shift powered glider.… ## Other investigations on N1762C (1) 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. - [NTSB WPR18LA109](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA109), Mar 11, 2018: Lyons Robert Navajo HKS (N1762C), Arlington, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's loss of directional control during landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to attain a proper touchdown point, which required his use of heavy braking to stop on the… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.