AMERICAN LEGEND AIRCRAFT CO AL3
Sedona, AZ — August 30, 2016
Event Information
| Date | August 30, 2016 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA16CA461 |
| Event ID | 20160901X81048 |
| Location | Sedona, AZ |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 34.50917, -111.47305 |
| Airport | SEDONA |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | AMERICAN LEGEND AIRCRAFT CO |
| Model | AL3 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 1 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion.
Full Narrative
According to the pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane, during approach for landing the airplane encountered "slight" turbulence, but the wind was reported as calm. He further reported that there were building cumulus clouds in the area. The pilot reported that about 4 feet above the ground, the airplane encountered wind gusts from left to right, so he added power and right rudder. He reported that the airplane landed on the left main landing gear, immediately veered left, exited the left side of the runway and impacted a drainage culvert. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage frame and right wing ribs.
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with any portion of the airplane during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operations.
As a recommendation the pilot reported that he should have gone around at the first indication of turbulence and tested the conditions further. He wrote that had the conditions worsened he would have departed the area for a suitable airport.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.