# NTSB WPR14LA177: Airplane Factory Ltd The Sling, N511NG, Daggett, CA, April 30, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 29, 2014, 23:55 local (Apr 30, 2014, 06:55 UTC) - Place: Daggett, CA - Coordinates: 34.795276, -116.887222 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7953&lon=-116.8872&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-descent: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 23, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA, The Aircraft Factory - NTSB case key (mKey): 89141 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14LA177 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89141/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89141 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA177 ## Probable cause The pilots’ failure to maintain clearance from terrain while operating in dark night, visual meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilots’ failure to enable the aural terrain warning system. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Airplane Factory Ltd The SLING, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=060009A), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Airplane Factory Ltd The SLING, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=060009A), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Navigation system: ground proximity system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023444): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [Airplane Factory Ltd The SLING, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023444/cases.md?model=060009A), [All aircraft, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023444/cases.md) - [Light condition: dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Airplane Factory Ltd The SLING, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md?model=060009A), [All aircraft, 448 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md) - [Terrain: mountainous/hilly terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Airplane Factory Ltd The SLING, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md?model=060009A), [All aircraft, 329 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-descent: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Airplane Factory Ltd The SLING, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=060009A), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis The sport pilot and flight instructor were approaching the destination airport at the conclusion of a night cross-country flight in the light sport airplane. The sport pilot stated that, about 10 miles southwest of the airport, they could clearly see the airport lights and began a visual descent from 5,500 ft mean sea level. During the descent, the airplane collided with terrain about 5 miles from the airport and came to a stop. The sport pilot egressed and called for emergency services. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Visual meteorological conditions were present in the area with visibility of 10 miles. Astronomical information showed that moonset had occurred about 3.5 hours before the accident. The accident occurred in a very sparsely populated area of high desert, with no ground lighting. The terrain and dark night conditions would have prevented both pilots from maintaining a visual reference to the terrain. Examination of the airplane's Electronic Flight Information System (EFIS) revealed that the aural terrain warning function was not enabled, though the system still depicted a moving map display with terrain information. If the aural terrain warning function had been enabled, the pilots would have been alerted, and action could have been taken in sufficient time to maintain terrain clearance. ## Factual narrative On April 29, 2014, at 2355 Pacific daylight time, an Airplane Factory Sling, N511NG, impacted mountainous terrain 5 miles southwest of the Barstow-Daggett Airport, Daggett, California. The certified flight instructor was seriously injured, and the sport pilot being instructed received minor injuries. The airplane was registered to, and operated by, the Sling Flying Club under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, as an instructional flight. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight originated from Torrance, California, about 2130. The pilot who held the Sport Pilot certificate stated that they were about 10 miles southwest of the Barstow-Daggett Airport, and they could clearly see the airport lights. They had started their descent out of 5,500 feet mean sea level (msl) and were planning their entry into the airport traffic pattern when they suddenly impacted terrain twice and then came to full stop. The sport pilot secured the airplane's electrical equipment and fuel system, egressed the airplane, and attended to the CFI. He then called for assistance using a mobile phone. The Daggett ASOS (automated surface observing system) recorded at 2350 clear sky, visibility 10 miles, and wind from 260 degrees at 3 knots. Astronomical information shows that moon set had occurred at 2019. The accident occurred in a very sparsely populated area of high desert in Southern California, and that dark night conditions prevailed. WRECKAGE & IMPACT INFORMATION The airplane rested on its belly, positioned on a down hill slope of the east side of the ridge. The sloping desert terrain descends to the desert floor 2,000 feet below. The landing gear of the airplane had separated from the airframe at the initial collision with the ridge line. The wings, engine, and tail remained fully attached to the fuselage. The wreckage was recovered and transported to a secure facility in Phoenix, Arizona for further examination. The airplane wreckage was examined on May 13, 2014, by the NTSB Investigator-in-Charge. The fuselage was placed on a stand. The wings and engine had been removed from the fuselage by recovery personnel for the purposes of transportation. The engine was placed on a work bench. Flight control continuity was established from the cockpit to the ailerons, elevator, and rudder. The flaps were in the retracted position. The leading edges of both wings exhibited damage. The inboard section of the right wing exhibited hydraulic deformation along the front of the fuel tank. Engine control cables were traced from the cockpit to the firewall where the cables had been cut by recovery personnel. The airplane was equipped with two MLG Avionics Stratomaster Voyager Electronic Flight Information System (EFIS) displays, one positioned on the instrument panel in front of each cockpit seat. Aircraft power was applied to the EFIS displays. The display on the left side of the instrument panelpowered up but the control buttons had been damaged and did not function. The display on the right side of the instrument panel powered up and the control buttons functioned appropriately. The display had been in night mode, which was changed during this exam to day mode for easier viewing. Various menus were displayed until the Terrain Warning setting menu was located. Once on that menu page, it was observed that the Terrain Warning box was not checked. The Collision Warning menu page displayed that the Collision Warning box was checked. A visual examination of the engine revealed no holes in the engine case, no oil leaks, all 4 cylinders were attached to the engine case, exhaust manifold and induction manifolds both in place on the engine. The propeller hub was attached to the crank shaft flange. The top spark plugs were removed, all exhibited electrodes light gray in color with no mechanical damage. The coloration and condition of the spark plugs were consistent with normal operation per the Champion Check-A-Plug chart (AV-29). The engine crankshaft was rotated by hand. Thumb compression was achieved on all cylinders, and the valve rockers were observed to move in concert. Both left and right carburetor bowls were removed. Both bowls contained undamaged floats and no fuel was observed. The propeller was a Whirlwind 3-bladed composite propeller. Two of the three bladed remained attached to the propeller hub, and all three blades exhibited leading edge damage. Examination of the cockpit shoulder harnesses revealed that the anchor cables for both pilot positions had separated in overload. The anchor cable separation was documented and the documentation was provided to the airplane manufacturer. The manufacturer updated the design and specified a larger diameter cable to be used for the shoulder harness anchor points. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N511NG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N511NG-2014-07-21), registration cancelled 2014-07-21, S/N 017, built 2011 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIRPLANE FACTORY (PTY) LTD THE SLING - Registry model: [Airplane Factory Ltd The SLING](https://openairdocs.org/model/airplane-factory-ltd-the-sling) (registry code 060009A) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 017 - Year built: 2011 - Airframe hours: 1202 - Engines: Rotax 912 ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 2014, 30 hours before - Departed: KTOA, Torrance, CA - Destination: KDAG, Daggett, CA - Airport: KDAG, Barstow-Daggett - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Airframe parachute, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: serious; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,073 total, 448 in this make and model, 2,016 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 30 days, 3.5 in the last 24 hours - Pilot; age 35; injuries: minor; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 6, 2013; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 73 total, 73 in this make and model, 31 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 260° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 12 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: KDAG, 17 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 20140429008549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140429008549A), Apr 29, 2014: Airplane Factory (Pty) Ltd The SLING, Daggett, CA, Destroyed. This was a controlled flight into terrain, pilots descended below high of local mountains and hills. ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 17, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89141. 5.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40449361&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Maps or Charts of Accident Area (item 2, .PDF, 571 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40449362&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maps%20or%20Charts%20of%20Accident%20Area-Master.PDF - Witness Statements (item 3, .PDF, 407 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40449363&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Master.PDF - Airframe and Engine Examination (item 4, .PDF, 733 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40449364&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airframe%20and%20Engine%20Examination-Master.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 5, .PDF, 427 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40449365&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Master.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 6, .PDF, 314 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40449366&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Master.PDF - Photos (item 7, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40449367&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-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.