# NTSB WPR21LA257: Wheeler C / Wheeler K Lancair 235, N43KC, Borrego Springs, CA, June 29, 2021

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: June 29, 2021, 11:35 local (18:35 UTC)
- Place: Borrego Springs, CA
- Coordinates: 33.259028, -116.32097 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2590&lon=-116.3210&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 103398
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA257
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103398/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103398
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA257

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during a crosswind landing which resulted in an impact with terrain.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Wheeler C / Wheeler K LANCAIR 235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=05618TY), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Wheeler C / Wheeler K LANCAIR 235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05618TY), [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-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Wheeler C / Wheeler K LANCAIR 235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05618TY), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during landing with a right crosswind, the airplane drifted left of runway centerline. The pilot applied right bank and left rudder control input, but the airplane continued to drift left. The pilot then increased engine power for a go-around, but the left wing dropped, and the left bank increased. The pilot continued to attempt recovery, but the airplane was too low. The airplane subsequently collided with the terrain next to the runway. The left wing and rudder sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N43KC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N43KC-2023-01-14), registration cancelled 2023-01-14, S/N 124, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WHEELER C / WHEELER K LANCAIR 235
- Registry model: [Wheeler C / Wheeler K LANCAIR 235](https://openairdocs.org/model/wheeler-c-wheeler-k-lancair-235) (registry code 05618TY) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 124
- Year built: 1992
- Airframe hours: 860
- Engines: LYCOMING 0-290 SERIES 140 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Infantryship USA, Inc.
- Registered owner: Infantryship USA, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, June 12, 2021
- Departed: KSEE, El Cajon, CA
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: L08, Borrego Valley, runway 08/26, 5,011 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,784 total, 4 in this make and model, 1,695 as pilot in command, 89 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.76 inHg
- Observed at: L08, 0.2 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 20210629011569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210629011569A), Jun 29, 2021: Wheeler C / Wheeler K LANCAIR 235, Borrgego Spring, CA, Destroyed. On approach to runway 08 at Borrego Valley Airport (L08) the pilot was practicing landings when on the flare the pilot felt a strong gust pushing the plane to…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 22, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103398. 1.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12715683&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20257_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Accident photo (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 166 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12455912&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20257-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.

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