Agua Caliente Springs Airport
Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Agua Caliente Springs, California 92036
Friday, November 27, 2009 9:00 PST

NTSB Narrative Summary Released at Completion of Accident

The pilot of the experimental airplane reported that he observed the airport windsock during the downwind leg for landing, and determined the winds to be light and variable. He maneuvered the airplane from base to final on an approach path that he deemed suitable for a short field landing. He reported that the airplane encountered a downdraft as he approached within 100 feet of his intended touchdown zone. He attempted recovery by increasing engine power, but the landing gear struck a berm. He then applied full engine power, and the airplane struck a second berm, collided with the ground, and came to rest just beyond the beginning of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and the fuselage during the accident sequence. The pilot reported that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions prior to the accident. He further stated that the accident could have been prevented if he had reviewed the airport guide, which referenced the existence of runway obstructions, and adjusted his landing approach accordingly.

NTSB Probable Cause Narrative

The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate glide path that ensured obstacle clearance during final approach to land.

Event Information

Type of Event Accident
Event Date 11/27/2009
Event Day of the Week Friday
Time of Event 900
Event Time Zone Pacific Standard Time
Event City Agua Caliente Springs
Event State CALIFORNIA
Event Country --
Zipcode of the event site 92036
Event Date Year 2009
Event Date Month 11
MidAir Collision Indicator No
On Ground Collision occurred ? No
Event Location Latitude 325720n
Event Location Longitude 1161741w
Event Location Airport Agua Caliente Springs
Event Location Nearest Airport ID L54
Indicates whether the acc/inc occurred off or on an airport On Airport
Distance from airport in statute miles 1
Degrees magnetic from airport --
Airport Elevation 1220
Weather Briefing Completeness --
Investigator's weather source Weather Observation Facility
Time of the weather observation 853 Pacific Standard Time
Direction of event from weather observation facility (degrees) 261
Weather Observation Facility ID RNM
Elevation of weather observation facility 1395
Distance of event from weather observation facility (units?) 32
Time Zone of the weather observation PST
Lighting Conditions Day
Lowest Ceiling Height --
Lowest Non-Ceiling Height --
Sky/Lowest/Cloud Conditions Clear
Sky Condition for Lowest Ceiling None
Visibility Runway Visual Range (Feet) --
Visibility Runway Visual Value (Statute Miles) --
Visibility (Statute Miles) 10
Air Temperature at event time (in degrees celsius) 19
Dew Point at event time (in degress fahrenheit) -8
Wind Direction (degrees magnetic) --
Variable Wind Indicator --
Wind Speed (knots) --
Wind Velocity Indicator Calm
Wind Gust Indicator --
Wind Gust (knots) --
Altimeter Setting at event time (in. Hg) 30.04
Density Altitude (feet) --
Intensity of Precipitation --
METAR weather report --
Event Highest Injury Minor
On Ground, Fatal Injuries --
On Ground, Minor Injuries --
On Ground, Serious Injuries --
Injury Total Fatal --
Injury Total Minor 1
Injury Total None 1
Injury Total Serious --
Injury Total All 1
Investigating Agency NTSB
NTSB Docket Number (internal use) 26520
NTSB Notification Source ROC
NTSB Notification Date --
NTSB Notification Time --
Fiche Number and/or location -used to find docket information --
Date of most recent change to record Dec 28 2009 5:52PM
User who most recently changed record coos
Basic weather conditions Visual Meteorological Cond
FAA District Office --

Aircraft Involved

Aircraft #1

Aircraft Registration Number N7824L
NTSB Number WPR10CA066
Missing Aircraft Indicator --
Federal Aviation Reg. Part Part 91: General Aviation
Type of Flight Plan filed None
Flight plan Was Activated? No
Damage Substantial
Aircraft Fire None
Aircraft Explosion None
Aircraft Manufacturer's Full Name NEPHEW ALAN H
Aircraft Model KITFOX
Aircraft Series Identifier --
Aircraft Serial Number S70208-015
Certified Max Gross Weight 1320
Aircraft Category Airplane
Aircraft Registration Class --
Aircraft is a homebuilt? Yes
Flight Crew Seats --
Cabin Crew Seats --
Passenger Seats --
Total number of seats on the aircraft 2
Number of Engines 1
Fixed gear or retractable gear Fixed
Aircraft, Type of Last Inspection Conditional
Date of Last Inspection May 18 2009 12:00AM
Airframe hours since last inspection 65
Airframe Hours 170
ELT Installed Yes
ELT Activated Yes
ELT Aided Location of Event Site No
ELT Type C91-A
Aircraft Owner Name NEPHEW ALAN H
Aircraft Owner Street Address --
Aircraft Owner City LAKESIDE
Aircraft Owner State CA
Aircraft Owner Country USA
Aircraft Owner Zipcode 92040-1009
Operator is an individual? Yes
Operator Name NEPHEW ALAN H
Operator Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Is Doing Business As --
Operator Address Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Street Address --
Operator City LAKESIDE
Operator State CA
Operator Country USA
Operator Zip code 92040-1009
Operator Code --
Owner has at least one certificate None
Other Operator of large aircraft? No
Certified for Part 133 or 137 Operation --
Operator Certificate Number --
Indicates whether an air carrier operation was scheduled or not --
Indicates Domestic or International Flight --
Operator carrying Pax/Cargo/Mail --
Type of Flying (Per_Bus / Primary) Personal
Second Pilot on Board No
Departure Point Same as Event No
Departure Airport Code SEE
Departure City El Cajon
Departure State CA
Departure Country USA
Departure Time 745
Departure Time Zone PST
Destination Same as Local Flt crash at destination city
Destination Airport Code L54
Destination City Agua Caliente Springs
Destination State CA
Destination Country USA
Specific Phase of Flight --
Report sent to ICAO? --
Evacuation occurred --
Date of most recent change to record Dec 28 2009 5:53PM
User who most recently changed record coos
Since inspection or accident Time of Accident
Event Location Runway Number and Location 11
Runway Length 2500
Runway Width 60
Sight Seeing flight No
Air Medical Flight No
Medical Flight --