Aviation Accident Summary LAX06CA163

Death Valley, CA, USA

Aircraft #1

N160SE

Indus Aviation T211

Analysis

The airplane collided with terrain about 1,300 feet short of the runway. The pilot extended the downwind leg of the traffic pattern to allow for adequate separation at his destination airport. While turning onto final approach he extended the flaps to the 20-degree position and reduced the airspeed to 60 miles per hour (mph). As the airplane approached the runway the pilot noted that he was too close to the ground with too slow of an airspeed. He applied full power but the airplane settled toward the terrain. The pilot noted no pre impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Factual Information

The airplane collided with terrain about 1,300 feet short of the runway. As the airplane entered the vicinity of the destination, the pilot opted to circle the gravel airstrip to assess the wind conditions. He noted the landing strip was sloping, comprised of gravel, and measured about 1,300 feet long by 50 feet wide. The windsock indicated calm wind conditions and he decided to land upslope following an airplane ahead. The pilot extended the downwind leg of the traffic pattern to allow for adequate separation and configured the airplane with 10 degrees of wing flaps. As the pilot turned onto final approach he further extended the flaps to the 20-degree position and reduced the airspeed to 60 miles per hour (mph). As the airplane approached the runway the pilot noted that he was too close to the ground with too slow of an airspeed. He applied full power but the airplane settled toward the terrain, impacting about 1,300 feet short of the runway. The pilot noted no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed during final approach, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/mush and collision with terrain.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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