Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot failed to maintain an adequate airspeed margin, resulting in a stall/mush and hard landing, and failed to maintain directional control and the left main landing gear separated when it struck a rock.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On September 24, 2000, about 0830 hours Pacific daylight time, an amateur-built experimental Woodruff Lancair 360, N360HW, sustained substantial damage during a hard landing at Kern Valley Airport, Kernville, California. The private pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot and one passenger were not injured. The personal flight departed Chino, California, about 0745. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.
The pilot stated he was on final for runway 35 and maintaining 85 knots as he initiated his flare. During the flare, he encountered wind shear and the airplane dropped from about 5 feet. The airplane bounced and veered off the left side of the runway. The left main landing gear struck some large rocks and separated from the airplane. The pilot said a big upslope was near the runway. He estimated the winds to be from 010 degrees at 10 knots.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX00LA349