Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary NYC02LA183

Flemingsburg, KY, USA

Aircraft #1

N582RR

Royse Glasair

Analysis

Prior to the accident flight, the pilot had never landed the accident airplane. To familiarize himself with the airplane, the pilot had read the aircraft manuals and completed several high-speed taxis. During the final approach, the airplane was about 10 knots too fast. The airplane touched down about 2,000 feet beyond the approach end of the 5,001-foot long runway, and porpoised. The pilot then applied forward pressure on the yoke, and added power. However, the airplane was not aligned with the runway centerline, and it veered left onto the grass. The pilot then applied heavy braking, and the airplane skidded on the grass, nosed over, and came to rest inverted at the bottom of a 40-foot embankment.

Factual Information

On September 6, 2002, about 1405 eastern daylight time, an amateur built Glasair, N582RR, was substantially damaged while landing at Fleming-Mason Airport (FGX), Flemingsburg, Kentucky. The certificated airline transport pilot was fatally injured, and the passenger sustained minor injures. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The passenger owned the airplane, and was a certificated private pilot. The passenger stated that the pilot was his brother-in-law, and had flown several different transport category aircraft for airlines and companies. However, the pilot had not landed the accident airplane prior to the accident. Before the flight, the pilot had familiarized himself with the airplane, and had completed many high-speed taxis. The pilot and passenger tookoff from FGX about 1330, and flew over the local area for approximately 30 minutes. The pilot then flew the traffic pattern for runway 07, and was about 10 knots fast on final approach. The airplane touched down about 2,000 feet beyond the approach end of the 5,001-foot long runway, and "porpoised." The pilot applied forward pressure on the yoke, and added "a little power." The airplane was not aligned with the runway centerline, and veered left onto the grass. The pilot then "locked the brakes," and the airplane skidded on the grass, nosed over, and came to rest inverted at the bottom of a 40-foot embankment. The pilot's most recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) first class medical certificate was issued on June 11, 2002. At that time, the pilot reported a total flight experience of 9,960 hours. Toxicological testing was conducted on the pilot at the FAA Toxicology Accident Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Examination of the wreckage by an FAA inspector did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the passenger report any. The reported wind at an airport approximately 40 miles southwest of the accident site, at 1354, was from 170 degrees at 5 knots.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a loss of control on the ground. A factor was the pilot's lack of experience in the type of aircraft.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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