U-FITAQP: 16) MESSED UP GO-AROUND

Lancair Legacy FG | N550NL

Spicewood, Texas

  • DTSB analysis published
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Key facts

  • DateApril 22, 2024
  • Local time6:25 PM
  • LightDay
  • WeatherVMC
  • Phase of flightGo-Around
  • People on board1
  • Fatalities1
  • Airport88R
  • NTSB numberCEN24FA164
  • NTSB statusUnder investigation

Accident Location

City, State
Spicewood, Texas
Latitude
30.473064
Longitude
-98.120263
Airport ID
88R

Aircraft Info

N Number
N550NL
Make
Lancair
Model
Legacy FG
Category / Class
Aircraft Single Engine Land
Amateur Built
No

Pilot Info

Pilot in command
Perkins, Wesley D.
Gender
Male
Age
73
Certification
Private Pilot
IFR rating
No
Medical
3rd Class Medical
Flight school
No
Instructional flight
No

Analysis

Weather
VMC
Time of day
Day
Phase of flight
Go-Around
Pilot error
Yes
Pilot incapacitation
No
People on board
1
PIC fatality
1
Total fatalities
1
NTSB number
CEN24FA164
NTSB travel
Yes

Probable Cause

THE DTSB

The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the pilot was making his second attempt to land after a previous unstable approach and go around. On his second attempt, the nosewheel contacted the pavement first and the aircraft veered left, upon where the pilot applied full power a second time and raised the pitch aggressively. The aircraft rolled left due to torque, the left wing stalled first and the aircraft rolled further left and impacted on the field in a nearly vertical flight profile.

NTSB

Probable Cause issued 5/13/2026 – 25 months after the accident: The pilot’s failure to properly configure the airplane during a go-around in gusting wind conditions, and his subsequent exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at an altitude too low for recovery.

Recommendation

THE DTSB

The DTSB recommends that all pilot of all aircraft become familiar and condition their own reflexes to be able to accomplish AQP 16 and not ever mess up a go around. The DTSB recommends pilot conditioning to be able to add power and right rudder smoothly, while lowering the nose, then eventually transition to a shallow climb.

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