# NTSB WPR13LA314: Luy Wayman Lockwood Aircam, N94C, Groveland, CA, July 7, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 7, 2013, 12:31 local (19:31 UTC) - Place: Groveland, CA - Coordinates: 37.861946, -120.17694 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8619&lon=-120.1769&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 11, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 87397 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13LA314 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87397/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87397 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA314 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadequate compensation for a crosswind and failure to maintain airplane control during a go-around. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Luy Wayman KIT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05610FG), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: crosswind correction](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Luy Wayman KIT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md?model=05610FG), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Luy Wayman KIT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=05610FG), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Luy Wayman KIT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=05610FG), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Luy Wayman KIT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05610FG), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Luy Wayman KIT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05610FG), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was practicing touch-and-go landings with a direct 12-knot crosswind. Immediately after touchdown, a gust of wind impacted the airplane, and its left wing rose about 45 degrees. The pilot applied power for a go-around, and the airplane became airborne. The pilot did not compensate for the crosswind, and the airplane drifted sideways and impacted a tree near the runway. The airplane's right wing separated and remained in the tree, and the fuselage and left wing fell to the ground. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On July 7, 2013, at 1231 Pacific daylight time, a Luy Wayman Lockwood Air cam twin engine experimental amateur-built airplane, N94C, was substantially damaged when it impacted a tree during a go-around at Pine Mountain Lake Airport (E45), Groveland, California. The private pilot was seriously injured and his passenger received minor injuries. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, which had originated approximately 1 hour before the accident. A flight plan had not been filed. The pilot reported that he had departed from Pine Mountain and flown to Columbia Airport (O22), which was about 15 nautical miles away. He practiced several touch-and-go landings and returned to Pine Mountain for more practice landings. The pilot said the wind at Pine Mountain was a direct crosswind of about 12 knots. On his second approach, shortly after touchdown, a gust of wind impacted the airplane. He said the left wing went up about 45 degrees and the airplane pivoted a bit to the right on its right main landing gear. He applied power for a go-around, and the airplane became airborne. The airplane was pushed sideways by the wind, and it struck a tree about 1,400 feet from the approach end of the runway. The airplane's right wing separated from the fuselage and remained in the tree. The fuselage and left wing fell to the ground and came to rest inverted. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N94C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N94C), registered now, S/N AC-102, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LUY WAYMAN LOCKWOOD AIRCAM - Registry model: [Luy Wayman KIT](https://openairdocs.org/model/luy-wayman-kit) (registry code 05610FG) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: AC-102 - Year built: 2001 - Airframe hours: 385 - Engines: Rotax 912 80 horsepower reciprocating; Rotax 912 ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Merolla Richard L - Registered owner: Merolla Richard L - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special); Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Condition, January 10, 2013 - Departed: E45, Groveland, CA - Destination: E45, Groveland, CA - Airport: E45, Pine Mountain Lake Airport, runway 27, 3,624 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 882 total, 131 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.78 inHg - Observed at: MER, 35 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 20130707014229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130707014229A), Jul 7, 2013: Luy Wayman KIT, Pine Mountain L, CA, Destroyed. On 07/07/2013 N94C a Luy Wayman Kit aircraft ( AC-102) lost directional control causing the aircraft to collide with a tree. At the time of the accident the… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 21, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87397. 5.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 674 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412514&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 55 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412515&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Front Right Side of Airplane (item 3, .PDF, 988 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412516&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Front%20Right%20Side%20of%20Airplane-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Right Rear Side (item 4, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412517&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Right%20Rear%20Side-Master.PDF - Photo 3 - Left Side (item 5, .PDF, 897 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412518&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Left%20Side-Master.PDF - Photo 4 - Right Wing in Tree (item 6, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412519&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%20-%20Right%20Wing%20in%20Tree-Master.PDF 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.