# NTSB WPR19LA261: Havoc Air Racing Super GT 111, N400MC, Reno, NV, September 9, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 9, 2019, 16:20 local (23:20 UTC) - Place: Reno, NV - Coordinates: 39.667499, -119.872497 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6675&lon=-119.8725&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Electrical system malf/failure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 100288 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR19LA261 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100288/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100288 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA261 ## Probable cause The failure of the landing gear to extend for reasons that could not be determined. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Electrical power system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022400): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure; cases with it: [Havoc Air Racing SUPER GT 111, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022400/cases.md?model=05637US), [All aircraft, 48 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022400/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: main landing gear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction; cases with it: [Havoc Air Racing SUPER GT 111, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/cases.md?model=05637US), [All aircraft, 241 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined; cases with it: [Havoc Air Racing SUPER GT 111, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=05637US), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Electrical system malf/failure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332) (defining event); cases with it: [Havoc Air Racing SUPER GT 111, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332/sequence.md?model=05637US), [All aircraft, 182 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Engine shutdown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/140); cases with it: [Havoc Air Racing SUPER GT 111, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/140/sequence.md?model=05637US), [All aircraft, 80 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/140/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was participating in an air racing event. He reported that, after finishing qualification laps, he lowered the landing gear in preparation for landing, but the left main gear unsafe light illuminated. The pilot attempted to troubleshoot the problem but was unable to fully extend the gear. While troubleshooting, he also noticed that electrical bus 1 was no longer charging; shortly thereafter, the airplane experienced an electrical failure, and the engine, which was equipped with an electronic ignition system, lost total power. The pilot landed on the runway with the landing gear retracted and a fire ensued. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was not examined after the accident, and the reason for the landing gear and electrical anomalies was not determined. ## Factual narrative On September 9, 2019, about 1620 Pacific daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Havoc Air Racing LLC Super GT 111 airplane, N400MC, was involved in an accident near Reno, Nevada. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot was participating in an air racing event. He reported that, after finishing qualification laps, he lowered the landing gear in preparation for landing, but the left main gear unsafe light illuminated. The pilot attempted to troubleshoot the problem but was unable to fully extend the gear. While troubleshooting, he also noticed that electrical bus 1 was no longer charging; shortly thereafter, the airplane experienced an electrical failure, and the engine, which was equipped with an electronic ignition system, lost total power. The pilot landed on the runway with the landing gear retracted and a fire ensued. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was not examined after the accident, and the reason for the landing gear and electrical anomalies was not determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N400MC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N400MC-2021-10-30), registration cancelled 2021-10-30, S/N 001, built 2019 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Havoc Air Racing Super GT 111 - Registry model: [Havoc Air Racing SUPER GT 111](https://openairdocs.org/model/havoc-air-racing-super-gt-111) (registry code 05637US) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 001 - Year built: 2019 - Engines: Lycoming TIO-580-EXP reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Havoc Air Racing LLC - Registered owner: Havoc Air Racing LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: RTS, Reno, NV - Destination: RTS, Reno, NV - Airport: RTS, Reno/Stead Airport, runway 14, 9,000 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 5,000 total, 1 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 15 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: KRTS ## 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 20190909012829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190909012829A), Sep 9, 2019: Havoc Air Racing LLC SUPER GT 111, Reno, NV, Substantial damage. During sport class practice/qualifying racer landed gear up and had a post crash fire no injury. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 7, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100288. 1.0 MB in all. - Record of conversation - pilot (item 1, PDF, 1 page, 77 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12744865&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=roc%20pilot-Rel.pdf - Record of memorandum - NTSB pilot/operator 6120.1 form (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 125 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12743931&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Memorandum%20no%206120-Rel.pdf - On scene photos - courtesy of NTSB (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 806 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12744811&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=photos%20attempt%202-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.