# NTSB WPR14CA365: Ealand Charles Lionheart, N15TE, Santa Maria, CA, September 5, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 5, 2014, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Santa Maria, CA - Coordinates: 34.900001, -120.458053 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9000&lon=-120.4581&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 3 minor - Status: Completed, report December 5, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 90032 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA365 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90032/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90032 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA365 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate landing flare and subsequent loss of directional control during the landing roll. ## 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: [Ealand Charles LIONHEART, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=05607L6), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Ealand Charles LIONHEART, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05607L6), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Ealand Charles LIONHEART, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05607L6), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Design; cases with it: [Ealand Charles LIONHEART, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=05607L6), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Ealand Charles LIONHEART, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=05607L6), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/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: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Ealand Charles LIONHEART, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05607L6), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Ealand Charles LIONHEART, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05607L6), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Ealand Charles LIONHEART, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=05607L6), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Ealand Charles LIONHEART, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05607L6), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The owner/builder of the experimental amateur-built, tailwheel-equipped biplane was seated in the front left seat, with another pilot seated in the right seat, and a passenger in the rear seat. The intent of the flight was to prepare both pilots for a flight review, with both trading off flight duties as necessary. They planned to initially perform touch-and-go landings at their home base airport, with the pilot in the right seat acting as pilot-in-command. The first takeoff and landing was uneventful, but the airport was busy, so they diverted to the accident airport to practice further. The landing approach was normal, with the airplane touching down slightly to the right of centerline and then bouncing. The pilot made corrective control inputs, but the airplane did not fully respond, bouncing again on the runway. He applied forward elevator pressure and the airplane landed a third time, this time remaining on the ground. The airplane began to drift to the right, but would not respond to the pilot's rudder inputs. The owner/builder then applied left rudder, but the airplane continued to drift towards a runway sign. As they passed to the right of the sign the airplane pitched down violently, and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage during the accident sequence to the left upper wing and the vertical stabilizer. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures which would have precluded normal operation. The owner stated that this was the first flight since he had completed the airplane's conditional inspection, and no flight control malfunctions were discovered at that time. He subsequently stated that he did not find any mechanical malfunctions or failures during a post-accident examination. He further surmised that the design of the braking system was such that simultaneous application of the left and right side brake pedals by both pilots may have resulted in excessive brake pressure, and this may have been the reason the airplane nosed over so unexpectedly. ## Factual narrative The owner/builder of the experimental amateur-built, tailwheel-equipped biplane was seated in the front left seat, with another pilot seated in the right seat, and a passenger in the rear seat. The intent of the flight was to prepare both pilots for a flight review, with both trading off flight duties as necessary. They planned to initially perform touch-and-go landings at their home base airport, with the pilot in the right seat acting as pilot-in-command. The first takeoff and landing was uneventful, but the airport was busy, so they diverted to the accident airport to practice further. The landing approach was normal, with the airplane touching down slightly to the right of centerline and then bouncing. The pilot made corrective control inputs, but the airplane did not fully respond, bouncing again on the runway. He applied forward elevator pressure and the airplane landed a third time, this time remaining on the ground. The airplane began to drift to the right, but would not respond to the pilot's rudder inputs. The owner/builder then applied left rudder, but the airplane continued to drift towards a runway sign. As they passed to the right of the sign the airplane pitched down violently, and nosed over.The airplane sustained substantial damage during the accident sequence to the left upper wing and the vertical stabilizer. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures which would have precluded normal operation. The owner stated that this was the first flight since he had completed the airplane's conditional inspection, and no flight control malfunctions were discovered at that time. He subsequently stated that he did not find any mechanical malfunctions or failures during a post-accident examination. He further surmised that the design of the braking system was such that simultaneous application of the left and right side brake pedals by both pilots may have resulted in excessive brake pressure, and this may have been the reason the airplane nosed over so unexpectedly. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N15TE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N15TE-2018-06-08), registration cancelled 2018-06-08, S/N GA-LH-008, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: EALAND CHARLES LIONHEART (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Ealand Charles LIONHEART](https://openairdocs.org/model/ealand-charles-lionheart) (registry code 05607L6) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: GA-LH-008 - Year built: 2006 - Airframe hours: 237 - Engines: P&W R-985 SERIES 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, September 9, 2013, 1 hours before - Departed: SBP, SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA - Destination: SMX, SANTA MARIA, CA - Airport: SMX, Santa Maria Pub/Capt G Allan H, runway 30, 8,004 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 80; injuries: minor; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 31, 2012; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 30,000 total, 80 in this make and model - Pilot; age 73; injuries: minor; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 1, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 18,007 total, 237 in this make and model, 16,143 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 5 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: KSMX ## 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 20140905016239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140905016239A), Sep 5, 2014: Ealand Charles LIONHEART, Santa Maria, CA, Substantial damage. On September 5, 2014, during a tail wheel landing at ksmx, Santa Maria California, the accident aircraft, N15TE, bounced twice on runway 30, and drifted right.… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 19, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90032. 4.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419141&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - Owner/Builder (item 2, .PDF, 104 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419142&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Owner%2FBuilder-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Wreckage (item 3, .PDF, 142 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419143&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Wreckage-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Left Wing Damage (item 4, .PDF, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419144&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Left%20Wing%20Damage-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.