# NTSB WPR14CA193: Kalman George Lancair 360, N521SH, Grand Canyon, AZ, May 15, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 15, 2014, 16:50 local (23:50 UTC) - Place: Grand Canyon, AZ - Coordinates: 35.95222, -112.146942 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9522&lon=-112.1469&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 2, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 89221 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA193 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89221/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89221 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA193 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate flare, which resulted in a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Kalman George LANCAIR 360, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=05602PL), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Kalman George LANCAIR 360, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05602PL), [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. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Kalman George LANCAIR 360, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=05602PL), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Kalman George LANCAIR 360, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05602PL), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he entered a right traffic pattern and established 80 knots on final approach. During the final approach he reduced engine power to idle and began to flare the airplane. The pilot stated that he believed that he flared higher than normal and he held a steady pitch attitude. As the airspeed decreased the airplane unexpectedly dropped and impacted the runway hard. The pilot lost directional control and the airplane skidded off the runway into a grassy area. The subsequent impact resulted in substantial damage to the lower fuselage and rudder. The pilot report no preimpact malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he entered a right traffic pattern and established 80 knots on final approach. During the final approach he reduced engine power to idle and began to flare the airplane. The pilot stated that he believed that he flared higher than normal and he held a steady pitch attitude. As the airspeed decreased the airplane unexpectedly dropped and impacted the runway hard. The pilot lost directional control and the airplane skidded off the runway into a grassy area. The subsequent impact resulted in substantial damage to the lower fuselage and rudder. The pilot report no preimpact malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N521SH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N521SH-2014-08-21), registration cancelled 2014-08-21, S/N 0383, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: KALMAN GEORGE LANCAIR 360 - Registry model: [Kalman George LANCAIR 360](https://openairdocs.org/model/kalman-george-lancair-360) (registry code 05602PL) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 0383 - Year built: 1997 - Airframe hours: 1010 - Engines: LYCOMING IO360 SER A&C 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, April 20, 2014, 10 hours before - Departed: ABQ, ALBUQUERQUE, NM - Destination: GCN, GRAND CANYON, AZ - Airport: GCN, Grand Canyon National Park, runway 03, 8,999 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 560 total, 50 in this make and model, 550 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 3.5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 10 °F - Altimeter: 30.29 inHg - Observed at: KGCN ## 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 20140515007179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140515007179A), May 15, 2014: Kalman George LANCAIR 360, Grand Canyon, AZ, Substantial damage. Initial report stated that N521SH skidded 1800FT down rwy 3 at gcn after a blown tire and came to rest off the right side of rwy in the median. Inspector… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 14, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89221. 7.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415092&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Repair Estimate Photos (Photos Provided by Insurance Company) (item 2, .PDF, 44 photos, 4.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415093&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Repair%20Estimate%20Photos%20(Photos%20Provided%20by%20%20Insurance%20Company)-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.