# NTSB WPR18LA055: Kelley Derrick/Leza Aircam, N959M, Newport, OR, December 23, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: December 23, 2017, 14:15 local (22:15 UTC) - Place: Newport, OR - Coordinates: 44.578609, -124.06277 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5786&lon=-124.0628&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Inflight upset](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/271) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96532 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR18LA055 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96532/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96532 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA055 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control while on final approach for landing in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a collision with trees. ## 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: [Kelley Derrick/Leza AIRCAM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05622SY), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Kelley Derrick/Leza AIRCAM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=05622SY), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Inflight upset](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/271) (defining event); cases with it: [Kelley Derrick/Leza AIRCAM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/271/sequence.md?model=05622SY), [All aircraft, 74 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/271/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Kelley Derrick/Leza AIRCAM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=05622SY), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the twin-engine, experimental, amateur-built airplane was landing with a right crosswind. The pilot turned onto final approach for the runway and the airplane banked left and began to descend. The pilot attempted to correct, but the bank and heading change persisted, the airplane's descent rate increased, and the airplane impacted trees and the ground short of the runway threshold. The airplane sustained substantial damaged to both wings. Examination of the airframe and engines did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Based on the available evidence, it is likely that the airplane encountered a crosswind during final approach, and the pilot was unable to regain control before impact with trees and terrain. ## Factual narrative On December 23, 2017, about 1415 Pacific standard time, an experimental, amateur-built Aircam airplane, N959M, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Newport, Oregon. The airline transport pilot received minor injuries, and the pilot-rated passenger was uninjured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he planned to land on runway 2 at Newport Municipal Airport (ONP), Newport, Oregon. He recalled that the reported winds were from 090° at 9 knots. The airplane was stabilized on approach with a speed of about 76 mph and zero flaps. About 400 ft above the ground, the pilot felt a slight updraft and responded with an airplane-nose-down input to the flight controls. Very shortly thereafter, the pilot felt a significant, uncommanded "nose dip" and a rapid and significant left bank. The pilot applied control inputs in an attempt to correct, but the airplane had lost about 200 ft, its track had changed nearly 90° to the left, and the airplane appeared to be heading toward a building. The pilot focused on avoiding both the building and an aerodynamic stall but was unable to prevent the airplane from impacting trees. He estimated that from the time of the upset to the accident was 5 to 10 seconds. A GoPro Camera installed below the left wing revealed that the airplane was in a left turn to final for runway 2 at an indicated altitude of about 450 ft msl, descending about 200 ft per minute (fpm), with an indicated airspeed of 70 to 75 mph. A windsock located to the left of the runway 2 threshold was extended straight out and indicated about a 20° right crosswind. The airplane banked further left and began pitching nose down, and the pilot increased the engine rpm to 5,000. At that time, the altitude was about 250 ft msl, the airplane was descending about 250 fpm, and the indicated airspeed was about 70 mph. The airplane then pitched slightly up, and the pilot quickly retarded and then re-advanced the throttles. The indicated airspeed was just below 70 mph and the airplane was descending about 500 fpm. The pilot then retarded the throttles to idle as the airplane began striking trees. The airplane impacted the ground and came to a stop with both engines continuing to operate at high rpm. At all times, the tachometer showed that both engines were producing power and were synchronized in rpm. The pilot recalled that at least one of the engines continued to operate after impact, and in response he shut the engine(s) down and secured the cockpit. The airplane came to rest upright in a partially wooded area about 550 ft short of the runway's displaced threshold and about 650 ft northwest of the extended runway centerline. The airplane cut a swath about 75 to 100 ft long through the trees in a direction about 45° left of the runway alignment. Both floats were significantly damaged and displaced, and both wings were substantially damaged. Examination of theflight control system did not reveal any indications of pre-impact mechanical abnormalities. Aileron control cable continuity was established between the tandem cockpits and the flight control surfaces. Elevator control continuity between the aft cockpit control stick and the flight control surfaces was verified. The elevator control cable between the forward and aft cockpit was fracture-separated, consistent with impact damage. Rudder control continuity between the cockpits and the rudder was confirmed. Both fuel tanks were at least 1/4 full, and their caps were properly installed and secure. Both engines and their respective 3-bladed composite propellers were intact, and both propellers/engines could be rotated manually. There were no indications of pre-impact mechanical failures. The airplane was equipped with two engine data monitors. Both devices were successfully downloaded and contained data from the accident flight. Recorded parameters included exhaust gas and cylinder head temperatures for each of the four cylinders, fuel flow, fuel used, and battery voltage. None of these parameters provide a direct measure of engine rpm or power; however, both engines displayed normal operating temperatures throughout both recordings. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N959M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N959M), registered now, S/N AC0129, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: KELLEY DERRICK/LEZA AIRCAM (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Kelley Derrick/Leza AIRCAM](https://openairdocs.org/model/kelley-derrick-leza-aircam) (registry code 05622SY) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: AC0129 - Year built: 2007 - Airframe hours: 836 - Engines: Rotax 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating; Rotax 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Fly Seaplanes LLC - Registered owner: Fly Seaplanes LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, August 15, 2017, 13 hours before - Departed: AST, Astoria, OR - Destination: ONP, Newport, OR - Airport: ONP, Newport Municipal, runway 2, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: minor; flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 20, 2017; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 12,400 total, 12 in this make and model, 4,000 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,800 ft broken - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.32 inHg - Observed at: ONP ## 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 20171223023439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171223023439A), Dec 23, 2017: Kelley Derrick/Leza AIRCAM, Newport, OR, Substantial damage. This was the 2nd leg of the day, olm-ast-onp. The wind was choppy most of the day, with some light turbulence. The pilot stated he checked the winds 10 min… ## Docket (10 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 2, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96532. 15.9 MB in all. - Onboard image recorder - specialist factual report (item 1, PDF, 4 pages, 423 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11897642&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=factual-Rel.pdf - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 2, PDF, 9 pages, 3.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=8257249&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=1%20-%20Form%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of conversation (pilot) (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 61 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=8258161&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=2%20-%20Record%20of%20Conversation%20Pilot-Rel.pdf - Record of communication (passenger) (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 85 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=8256839&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=3%20-%20Record%20of%20Communication%20Pax%20Jan%203-Rel.pdf - Metars (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 27 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=8258253&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=8%20-%20METARs-Rel.pdf - Site and examination information (item 6, PDF, 13 pages, 14 photos, 5.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=8258244&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=4%20-%20Site%20and%20Examination%20Information-Rel.pdf - Engine monitor summary report (item 7, PDF, 8 pages, 2 photos, 621 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=8258281&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=5%20-%20Engine%20Monitor%20Summary%20Report-Rel.pdf - Engine monitor appendix 1 (item 8, CSV, 100 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=8258170&FileExtension=csv&FileName=6%20-%20Appx%201%20Left%20Engine%20Data-Rel.csv - Engine monitor appendix 2 (item 9, CSV, 133 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=8258386&FileExtension=csv&FileName=7%20-%20Appx%202%20Right%20Engine%20Data-Rel.csv - Wreckage release (item 10, PDF, 3 pages, 5.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=8258290&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=9%20-%20Wreckage%20Rlse%20Docs_Redacted-Rel.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.