Lancair LC41-550FG N2520P

Summary

On 1 September 2007 at about 00:46 local time, a Lancair LC41-550FG registered N2520P was involved in an accident near Kernville, California, United States. 6 people were on board and 6 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

1 September 2007 at 00:46

Classification

Accident

Location

Kernville, California, United States

Nearest airport

Kern Valley Airport (L05)

Coordinates

35.7244, -118.4242

Aircraft

Lancair LC41-550FG

Registration

N2520P

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Santa Monica → Kernville

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA07FA247

6 people died.

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering in the traffic pattern for landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

Witnesses observed the airplane approach from the south before aborting the first landing attempt. The airplane then made a 180-degree turn to the left for a second attempt to land on runway 35. When the airplane was abeam the approach end of the runway it began a left turn, followed by its nose dropping straight down before impacting terrain and bursting into flames. The airplane came to rest in a near vertical orientation. The airplane was certificated to carry 4 persons; at the time of the accident the airplane was carrying 6 persons. Calculations indicated that the airplane was being operated over its maximum landing weight at the time of the accident. Examination of the airplane and engine revealed no preimpact mechanical anomalies.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.