# NTSB WPR23LA151: Lowe Bruce Skystr Ktfx IV-1200, N1641E, Susanville, CA, April 5, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: April 5, 2023, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Susanville, CA - Coordinates: 40.28018, -120.01184 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2802&lon=-120.0118&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - 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): 107034 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR23LA151 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/107034/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=107034 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA151 ## Probable cause The pilot’s braking technique during an off airport precautionary landing on unforeseen soft terrain, which resulted in a nose over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: surface speed/braking](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Lowe Bruce SKYSTR KTFX IV-1200, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=05625EE), [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md) - [Terrain: wet/muddy terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Lowe Bruce SKYSTR KTFX IV-1200, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035/cases.md?model=05625EE), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Lowe Bruce SKYSTR KTFX IV-1200, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05625EE), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while flying low to observe the unusual water flows from mountains, he noted abnormal engine behavior. He elected to perform a precautionary landing on flat terrain due to nearby rising terrain. Upon touchdown, the airplane experienced a slight ballooning effect, leading the pilot to apply maximum braking upon touchdown. The tires grabbed harder than expected due to soft terrain and the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. A postaccident engine test run by the pilot revealed no anomalies or an explanation for the abnormal engine behavior. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1641E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1641E-2023-11-28), registration cancelled 2023-11-28, S/N 1854, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LOWE BRUCE SKYSTR KTFX IV-1200 - Registry model: [Lowe Bruce SKYSTR KTFX IV-1200](https://openairdocs.org/model/lowe-bruce-skystr-ktfx-iv-1200) (registry code 05625EE) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1854 - Year built: 1992 - Airframe hours: 654 - Engines: Yamaha APEX 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 4, 2022, 73 hours before - Departed: KSVE, SUSANVILLE, CA - Destination: KRTS, STEAD, NV - Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 587 total, 516 in this make and model, 577 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.18 inHg - Observed at: KSVE, 26 nm away - METAR: KSVE 051755Z AUTO 05007KT 10SM CLR 03/M07 A3018 RMK AO2 ## 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 20230405013209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230405013209A), Apr 5, 2023: Lowe Bruce SKYSTR KTFX IV-1200, Herlong, CA, Substantial damage. Based on pilot's statement, winds were turbulent and gusty during landing. Aircraft bounced once, and on second landing, stayed on ground, but with reduced… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 15, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=107034. 2.7 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15330253&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_1%20flat_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 1 photo, 290 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16036111&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR23LA151-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 95 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16034415&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20phone%20conversation%20WPR23LA151_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record (pilot) (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 64 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16357714&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20Of%20Record%20Pilot%20WPR23LA151-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.