Lancair COLUMBIA 400 N2516K

Summary

On 5 March 2017 at about 13:30 local time, a Lancair COLUMBIA 400 registered N2516K was involved in an accident near Henderson, Nevada, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

5 March 2017 at 13:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Henderson, Nevada, United States

Nearest airport

Henderson Executive (HND)

Coordinates

35.9728, -115.1344

Aircraft

Lancair COLUMBIA 400

Registration

N2516K

Category

Airplane

Year built

2005

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Moriaty → Henderson

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA17CA174

2 people had minor injuries.

The pilot’s improper decision to land the airplane with a gusting crosswind, which resulted in a loss of airplane control.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he and his passenger were cleared by the tower for the approach to runway 17R. During landing, "a violent wind gust without warning hit the airplane." The pilot attempted to recover, "when a second violent wind gust hit the airplane causing a wing to hit the ground." The airplane's left wing impacted the safety area between runway 17R and 17L and just beyond taxiway Foxtrot. The airplane came to rest in the same safety area about 45° left of the initial impact point and about 10 ft from runway 17L. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing, fuselage, and rudder. The METAR reported that the wind was from 220° at 31 knots, gusting to 38 knots about the time of the accident. According to the manufacturer's Pilot's Operating Handbook, the maximum demonstrated crosswind component was 23 knots. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.