# NTSB WPR17LA141: Vickers Supermaine Ltd, N5TF, Marana, AZ, July 4, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 4, 2017, 09:05 local (16:05 UTC) - Place: Marana, AZ - Coordinates: 32.409442, -111.21833 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4094&lon=-111.2183&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: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 19, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 95509 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR17LA141 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95509/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95509 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA141 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Vickers Supermarineltd SPITFIRE VC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=9470106), [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: [Vickers Supermarineltd SPITFIRE VC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=9470106), [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: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Vickers Supermarineltd SPITFIRE VC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=9470106), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Vickers Supermarineltd SPITFIRE VC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=9470106), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Vickers Supermarineltd SPITFIRE VC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=9470106), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The airline transport pilot reported that, after making a normal landing and slowing the airplane during the rollout, the airplane began to drift to the left. The pilot's right rudder input was not effective at countering the left drift due to the airplane's slow speed, so the pilot applied the right brake. The right brake application caused the airplane's nose to swing to the right, which the pilot then countered by applying left rudder and brake. However, the left rudder input was ineffective, and the left brake provided no stopping action, so the airplane departed the right side of the runway. The airplane's subsequent impact with soft dirt resulted in the collapse of the left main landing gear and substantial damage to the airplane. A postaccident survey of the runway revealed a 200-ft-long skid mark that was made by the left main landing gear tire. A postaccident examination revealed no preimpact failure or malfunction with the airplane's brake system that would have resulted in the loss of directional control. ## Factual narrative On July 4, 2017, about 0905 mountain standard time, a Vickers Supermarine Ltd Spitfire V airplane, N5TF, was substantially damaged during landing at Marana Regional Airport (AVQ), Marana, Arizona. The airline transport pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to Comanche Fighters LLC and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal cross-country flight originated from the Las Cruces International Airport (LRU), Las Cruces, New Mexico, about 0850.In a statement submitted to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that after making a normal landing on runway 12, and as the airplane slowed on rollout, it started to drift to the left. When rudder input was ineffective [to counter the left drift] due to the slow speed, right brake was applied. The pilot stated that the brake grabbed enough to start the airplane's nose to swing to the right. At this point left rudder and brake were applied to counter the right swing, however, rudder input was again ineffective and left brake provided no stopping action. The pilot opined that without left brake there was nothing to stop the right swing due to the free swiveling tailwheel. The airplane subsequently departed the right runway edge, impacted soft dirt, which resulted in the collapse of the left main landing gear. The airplane came to rest upright and on its nose. The left wing was substantially damaged as a result of contact with terrain. The pilot mentioned that upon activation of the left brake the pressure felt normal but no braking action was received. The pilot added that the brake acted like it was hot, even though this was the first activation during the landing. On August 8, 2017, under the supervision of a Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness inspector, a postaccident examination of the brake system by maintenance personnel familiar with the vintage airplane was performed in a secured facility at AVQ. The inspector reported that the airplane's brake system is an air system that works from an engine driven compressor, which maintains system pressure at 300 psi. There is also a ground service filler for nitrogen that is to be added before flight if the system loses pressure while the engine is not running. The inspector further reported that the yoke has a squeeze handle to operate both brakes. If the left rudder pedal is moved, the system will move the brake pressure to the left wheel. If you move the right rudder pedal the system will move brake pressure to the right wheel. This happens through the brake relay valve. There is also a preset pressure of between 80 and 120 psi to each wheel. The inspector reported that when the examination began the system was at zero psi, and that it was normal for the system to bleed down to zero when not being operated, especially if the flaps are in the down position(flaps were in the down position at this time). When the brake system was serviced to approximately 170 psi to test the system, it tested normally. The pressure to each wheel was normal at 110 psi. The inspector stated that during the examination the brake system appeared to be working as designed. Additionally, the inspector reported that the tail wheel system was tested and appeared to also function normally. The inspector mentioned that in speaking with pilots who flew the Spitfire, the airplane is very difficult to land on a runway, and that it was made to land in a field or grass [airstrip]. Additionally, he was told that when the brakes get hot the brake system can get very spongy. The inspector also mentioned that the pilot said he had lost the left brake. A survey of the runway revealed a 200-ft skid mark from the left main tire. There was no observable damage to the tire that was consistent with the left brake having locked up. Wind at the time of the accident was reported to be 230° at 3 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5TF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5TF-2017-10-25), registration cancelled 2017-10-25, S/N JG891, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: VICKERS Supermaine Ltd (Spitfire V) - Registry model: [Vickers Supermarineltd SPITFIRE VC](https://openairdocs.org/model/vickers-supermarineltd-spitfire-vc) (registry code 9470106) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: JG891 - Year built: 1943 - Airframe hours: 1338.7 - Engines: Rolls Royce Merlin 35 1470 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, June 30, 2017, 72 hours before - Departed: LRU, Las Cruces, NM - Destination: AVQ, Marana, AZ - Airport: AVQ, Marana Regional, runway 12, 6,901 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Onboard weather, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 4, 2017; seat: center; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 22,000 total, 52 in this make and model, 16,239 as pilot in command, 56 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: AVQ ## 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 20170704015249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170704015249A), Jul 4, 2017: Vickers Supermarineltd SPITFIRE VC, Marana, AZ, Substantial damage. Aircraft landed runway 22 at avq and aircraft veared right going off runway. Aircraft made contact with soft terrain causing the left gear to collaps and end… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 9, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95509. 6.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 5.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465744&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Records of FAA Inspector's Examination Report (item 2, .PDF, 97 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465745&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Records%20of%20FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Examination%20Report-Master.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 3, .PDF, 139 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465746&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Master.PDF - Photo Array of Accident Airplane (item 4, .PDF, 685 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465747&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array%20of%20Accident%20Airplane-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.