CircumFlightN764JM Mace Justin I DRAGONFLY accident
NTSB CEN13CA026 · 2012-10-09 · Durango, CO · near 00C
Docket — crew, injuries and powerplant
Summary
The pilot reported that during each of three previous attempts to land at the destination airport, he encountered turbulence just before the airplane touched down and decided to perform go-arounds. He stated that during the accident landing, the airplane was not properly aligned with the runway centerline before touchdown due to his “over-correction of the rudder.” The pilot applied power to perform another go-around, and the airplane began to “porpoise” as the pilot attempted to climb away from the runway. The airplane collided with trees, and the wing and canard sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot further stated that he was inexperienced in the accident airplane in turbulence near ground level and that he should have revised his destination to an airport with a wider runway and no nearby trees.
Full narrative
The pilot reported that while attempting to land at the airport, he encountered turbulence just before the airplane touched down. The airplane alignment prior to touchdown was approximately 20 degrees off of runway centerline due to over-correction of the rudder. The pilot applied power to execute a go-around and the airplane began to porpoise as the pilot attempted to climb away from the runway. The airplane collided with trees and the wing and canard sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable cause
The pilot’s delayed decision to perform a go-around, which resulted in the airplane impacting trees. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inexperience in the accident airplane and his encounter with conditions that exceeded his capabilities. The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident.
Circumstances
- Event type
- Accident
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Weather conditions
- Visual Meteorological Cond
- Light condition
- Day
- Sky condition
- VV
- Ceiling (ft)
- 0
- Visibility (sm)
- 10
- Wind direction
- 210
- Wind speed (kt)
- 7
- Temperature (F)
- 34
- Nearest airport
- Animas Air Park
- Distance from field
- 0.0
Aircraft
| Registration | Make | Model | Damage | FAR part |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N764JM | MACE JUSTIN I | DRAGONFLY | SUBS | 091 |
Sequence of events
| # | Occurrence | Phase |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Landing-aborted after touchdown Abnormal runway contact defining | Cruise |
| 2 | Other Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT) | Landing |