American 8KCAB N123WA
9 February 2001 · Leesburg, Florida, United States · Minor injuries
Summary
On 9 February 2001 at about 14:15 local time, a American 8KCAB registered N123WA was involved in an accident near Leesburg, Florida, United States. 3 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 14:15
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Leesburg, Florida, United States
- Nearest airport
- Leesburg Regional (LEE)
- Coordinates
- 28.8269, -81.8153
- Aircraft
- American 8KCAB
- Registration
- N123WA
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Ocala → Leesburg
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- MIA01FA074
People
1 person had minor injuries.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
Probable cause
The failure of the pilot of N123WA and the failure of both pilots of N301NL to adequately insure visual separation between their aircraft and other aircraft in the landing pattern, resulting in a runway collision. Factors contributing to the accident were the pilots of both aircraft not using the correct UNICOM/CTAF frequency, and the pilot of N123WA executing a landing approach that conflicted with the traffic pattern entry recommended by the Aeronautical Information Manual for airports without operating control towers.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
Leesburg Municipal Airport has no operating control tower. The Decathlon conducted a long straight-in approach to Leesburg's runway 13 while the Extra 300 was conducting practice landings from a left traffic pattern. A ground collision occurred between the Decathlon's empennage, and the Extra's propeller/spinner and wing leading edge as the Decathlon was in its decelerating ground roll and the Extra was in the latter stage of its landing flare. The forces imparted to the Decathlon caused it to become airborne, nose high, and execute a roll about its longitudinal axis. The aircraft came to rest on the runway, inverted. The Extra under ran the Decathlon, commenced a skid, and sheared its right wheel/brake assembly. Both aircraft were substantially damaged, and the Decathlon pilot received minor injuries. Numerous witnesses stated they heard no radio calls on the proper UNICOM/CTAF frequency from either aircraft. The UNICOM/CTAF frequency had been changed from 122.7 to 122.725, and was properly displayed in the Southeast Airport/Facility Directory, (A/FD) effective November 30, 2000. The Aeronautical Information Manual, Chapter 4, " Air Traffic Control", recommends for traffic operations at airports without an operating control tower, (1) Enter pattern in level flight, abeam the midpoint of the runway, at pattern altitude. (1,000' agl is recommended pattern altitude unless established otherwise...), (2) Maintain pattern altitude until abeam approach end of the landing runway on downwind leg, (3) Complete turn to final at least 1/4 mile from the runway.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Aircraft involved
| Aircraft | Registration | Operator | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| American 8KCAB | N123WA | - | Substantial |
| Flugzeugbau EA-300 | N301NL | - | Substantial |
Other American 8 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Oct 1997 | American 8KCAB | Payson, Arizona, United States | Roger Parks | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 Mar 2001 | Enstrom F-28C | Orlando, Florida, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 9 Nov 2001 | Robinson R-22 | Bunnell, Florida, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 8 Nov 2001 | Cessna 177 | Gainesville, Florida, United States | Thomas W. Norton | Minor injuries | - |
| 10 Nov 2001 | Extra Flugzeugbau EA300/L | St. Augustine, Florida, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 17 Apr 2001 | Boeing 737-200 | Jacksonville, Florida, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 14 Jun 2001 | Beechcraft C90 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |