# NTSB WPR16FA154: Sperling Richard G Lancair 360, N528HZ, The Dalles, OR, August 1, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: August 1, 2016, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: The Dalles, OR - Coordinates: 45.619445, -121.168334 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6194&lon=-121.1683&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: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report January 9, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 93727 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR16FA154 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93727/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93727 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16FA154 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of control during an aborted landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to extend the landing gear before touchdown. ## 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: [Sperling Richard G LANCAIR 360, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056327F), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Sperling Richard G LANCAIR 360, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=056327F), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md) - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Sperling Richard G LANCAIR 360, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=056327F), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: main landing gear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [Sperling Richard G LANCAIR 360, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/cases.md?model=056327F), [All aircraft, 241 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095); cases with it: [Sperling Richard G LANCAIR 360, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=056327F), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Sperling Richard G LANCAIR 360, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=056327F), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot was landing the airplane on runway 31 in visual meteorological conditions when witnesses observed the airplane in a nose-low, steep-left-bank attitude west of the runway over grassy terrain. A second later, the airplane impacted the terrain. An examination of the accident site revealed propeller slash marks about 1,800 ft from the approach end of runway 31. The initial point of a 200-foot-long debris path was located 385 ft from the slash marks on a 235° magnetic heading, and the airplane came to rest upright at the end of the debris path with its nose oriented northeast. During the wreckage recovery, both main and the nose landing gear were found in a retracted position. During the postaccident examination, the throttle, mixture and propeller control levers were observed positioned full forward. The left and right main landing gear doors and the fuselage bottom skin exhibited numerous scratches and paint transfer consistent with the airplane's lower surface contacting the runway with the landing gear retracted. Both propeller blade tips were bent and curled aft, and the blades displayed numerous span-wise scratches from about mid span to the blade tips consistent with the propeller blades contacting the runway. The examination revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical failures or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. It is likely that, during the landing sequence, the pilot realized that the landing gear was retracted and aborted the landing by adding full power. During the aborted landing, the pilot did not maintain control of the airplane, which rolled to the left and impacted terrain. ## Factual narrative The two-seat, single-engine, low-wing, retractable landing gear airplane was manufactured by the pilot in 2014. It was powered by an experimental Textron Lycoming IO-360-C1C engine, rated at 240 horsepower. The airplane was equipped with a Hartzell two-bladed variable-pitch propeller, model HC-E2YR-1BF/F7068-2. A review of available maintenance records showed that the engine was disassembled and inspected on March 4, 2014, due to low oil pressure. The engine was subsequently rebuilt and installed on the accident airplane at an undetermined date. The airframe records were not available to investigators during the investigation. On August 1, 2016, about 1100 Pacific daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Lancair 360, N528HZ, impacted terrain while landing on runway 31 at Columbia Gorge Regional/The Dalles Municipal Airport (DLS), The Dalles, Oregon. The pilot was fatally injured, and the airplane was destroyed. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The local flight originated from DLS about 1030. Two witnesses, located on the ramp adjacent to the refueling area, observed the airplane west of the runway in a nose-low, steep-left-bank attitude with the left wing pointed directly towards the ground. A second later, the airplane impacted the terrain. One witness reported that, following the impact, the airplane cartwheeled and slid on its belly before it came to rest. Klickitat County Coroner's Office, Goldendale, Washington, completed an autopsy on the pilot and concluded that the cause of death was blunt force injuries. The FAA's Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed toxicology on specimens from the pilot. No ethanol was present in urine; ketamine was detected in urine and blood. Ketamine is an injectable, rapidly acting general anesthetic agent that was administered during the pilot's postaccident transport to the hospital. At 0953, the weather conditions at DLS included wind from 340° at 10 knots, 10 miles visibility, temperature of 21°C, dew point temperature of 11°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.02 inches of mercury. The pilot held a private pilot certificate with airplane single-engine and multi-engine land ratings. He held a third-class airman medical certificate issued on April 28, 2014, with the limitation that he must have available glasses for near vision. At the time of his last medical exam, the pilot reported flight experience that included 1,860 total hours and 104 hours in the last 6 months. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the accident site and the surrounding area. The examination revealed 6 equally-spaced propeller slash marks on runway 31 about 1,800 ft from the approach end. A ground scar and a part of the left-wing tip were observed in a grassy area located 385 ft from the propeller marks on aheading of about 296o magnetic. The airplane wreckage debris path was about 200 ft in length on a heading of about 235o magnetic. The airplane came to rest upright with its nose oriented northeast. The left wing and its respective carry-through structure had separated from the fuselage, and parts were dispersed along the debris path. All airframe components were found with the main wreckage along with all flight control surfaces, which had remained attached to their respective hinges. Flight control continuity was established from the cockpit controls to all primary flight control surfaces. Multiple separations were observed in various control cables, consistent with impact. During the wreckage recovery, the FAA inspector observed that both main and the nose landing gear were in a retracted position. The left and right main landing gear doors and the fuselage bottom skin exhibited numerous scratches and paint transfer consistent with the airplane's lower surface contacting the runway with the landing gear retracted. No evidence of pre-impact anomalies was found with the landing gear system. The two-bladed propeller assembly remained attached to the crankshaft's propeller flange. Both blade tips were bent and curled aft, and the blades displayed numerous span-wise scratches from about mid span to the blade tips consistent with the propeller blades contacting the runway. The engine remained attached to the airframe, and the engine mounts were intact. All engine accessories remained attached to the engine. The air filter remained attached to its bracket and exhibited signs of impact damage. The fuel pump and the fuel lines remained attached to the engine and to their respective cylinders. The fuel selector handle was found in the "RIGHT" tank position. Fuel was present in the airplane; however, the fuel quantity was not determined. The needle on the fuel gauge indicated 1/2. The top sparkplugs were removed from their respective cylinders and exhibited signatures consistent with normal operation. The electrode areas displayed no mechanical deformation. A compression test was conducted and cylinder Nos.1, 3 and, 4 produced compression and suction during the propeller rotation. The No. 2 cylinder did not produce any compression or suction due to impact damage. The throttle and mixture controls remained attached to their respective cockpit controls and their control levers. The throttle, mixture, and propeller control levers were positioned full forward. The examination revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction that would have precluded normal operations. The complete accident site summary and the examination report are available in the public docket for this accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N528HZ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N528HZ-2018-03-15), registration cancelled 2018-03-15, S/N 553-320-300, built 2014 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SPERLING RICHARD G LANCAIR 360 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Sperling Richard G LANCAIR 360](https://openairdocs.org/model/sperling-richard-g-lancair-360) (registry code 056327F) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-C1G6](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-c1g6) (registry code 41838, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 553-320-300 - Year built: 2014 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 240 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: DLS, The Dalles, OR - Destination: DLS, The Dalles, OR - Airport: DLS, Columbia Gorge Rgnl/The Dalles, runway 31, 5,097 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,860 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: KDLS ## 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 20160801013849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160801013849A), Aug 1, 2016: Sperling Richard G LANCAIR 360, Dallesport, WA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft had departed dls earlier that morning and was reported to be returning with landing direction runway 31. Aircraft was reported by eyewitnesses to be… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 18, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93727. 2.7 MB in all. - Witness Statements (item 1, .PDF, 36 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458918&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Master.PDF - Accident Site Examination Summary (item 2, .PDF, 5 photos, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458919&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Site%20Examination%20Summary-Master.PDF - Engine and Airframe Examination (item 3, .PDF, 5 photos, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458920&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Engine%20and%20Airframe%20Examination-Master.PDF - Toxicological Report (item 4, .PDF, 208 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458921&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Report-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.