Aircraft Making Emergency Landing Struck The Vehicle, Five Injured, One Fatally

The NTSB has released its preliminary report from an accident which occurred on April 2 in California in which an airplane making an emergency landing impacted a parked car, resulting in the fataly injury of one of the people in the car.

According to the report, at about 0915 Pacific daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Nokes Matthew Lancair IV P, N438Y, collided with the parked car on the shoulder of Interstate 15 near Fallbrook, California. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91.

The private pilot and one passenger sustained serious injuries; one occupant of the car sustained fatal injuries, and the other three occupants sustained serious injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage.

The personal flight departed Gillespie Field (SEE), San Diego, California, about 0900; the destination has not yet been established. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.

Witnesses observed the airplane approaching the freeway, and noted that the engine sound was quiet.

NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC) and inspectors from the FAA)examined the site. The first identified point of contact (FIPC) was a 12-foot-long ground scar with blue paint transfer marks from the belly of the airplane. About 10 feet after the ground scar was a series of propeller strike marks perpendicular to the flight path. Between the fourth and fifth strike marks (about 11 feet), another ground scar with blue paint transfer marks started. This ground scar was continuous to the wreckage.

The nose of the airplane collided with the left rear portion of the trunk at an angle from the left to right, and intruded into the right back seat area of the parked car. The airplane pushed the car off the freeway shoulder and into the adjacent dirt area. The airplane's three-bladed propeller and engine remained enmeshed with the car.

Investigators established control continuity for the ailerons, elevators, and rudder.

The airplane was removed to a secure location for further examination.

(Image from file. Not accident airplane)

FMI: www.ntsb.gov