Pilot Debrief

Lancair LANCAIR 320 near Bolivar, MO — 2019-09-25

Final reportCEN19TA333
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Date
2019-09-25
Location
Bolivar, MO, USA
Airport
M17
Aircraft
Lancair LANCAIR 320
Registration
N52WL
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

Inadequate maintenance of the airplane, which resulted in a lack of adequate hydraulic fluid, malfunction of the landing gear extension system, and the landing gear collapse on landing.

NTSB narrative

While on approach for landing, the pilot activated the experimental airplane's landing gear extension switch and noticed that the right main landing gear indicator light was not illuminated. He recycled the landing gear, checked the circuit breaker, and performed an emergency landing gear extension; however, the right main landing gear did not extend. During the landing, the right wing contacted the runway and terrain. Examination of the airplane revealed that the hydraulic fluid reservoir contained a minimal amount of fluid. No visual leaks were noted with the hydraulic system. The reservoir tank was located aft of the firewall and was not visible during a pre-flight inspection due to fuselage structure. The airplane's annual condition inspection was expired; the pilot stated that he knew the inspection was out of date and was working on completing the inspection.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot should have ensured hydraulic fluid was adequate before flight.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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