NTSB Safety Alert SA-053 - Arriving at a Major Fly-In Event

Arriving at a Major Fly-In

Event?

Keep your focus on safety!

The problem

Arrivals at major fly-in events, such as SUN ‘n FUN and Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture,

pose unique challenges for pilots (and air traffic controllers), including extremely high-density traffic, special

flight and communication procedures, a rapidly changing environment, and changes to air traffic control (ATC)

separation standards.

ATC standards for such events allow reduced runway separation between aircraft, minimized radio

communications between pilots and ATC, and shared control of arrival and departure aircraft on the same

runway between different teams of controllers. Thus, pilots can be as little as 1,500 ft behind another aircraft

landing on the same runway (typical separation standards require 3,000 ft between aircraft), and ATC may be

communicating with arrival and departure aircraft on different frequencies, reducing their ability to assess the

traffic situation. Pilots may focus so much on complying with ATC instructions in this challenging environment

that they lose control of the aircraft, which can lead to a stall.

Accidents have occurred when pilots were too slow and stalled, used an excessive bank angle (resulting in an

accelerated stall), or overshot the runway (resulting in a cross-control stall) when turning from downwind to

base leg or from base leg to final.

Pilots may not adequately review Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) notices to airmen (NOTAMs) published

for the events. These NOTAMs are critical to ensuring flight safety because they contain special operational

procedures, including arrival and departure routes, communication procedures, and other crucial safety

information.

The major fly-in event environment, with hundreds or thousands of people watching, may create pressure for

pilots to continue an approach that they are uncomfortable with rather than go around. Several preventable

loss-of-control accidents have occurred on arrival to such events because pilots have inadvertently exceeded

their own performance limitations or those of their aircraft while operating in these unique environments.

June 2022

HIGHWAY

MARINE

RAILROAD

PIPELINE

AVIATION

SAFETY

ALERT 053

2 / NTSB Safety Alert 053 / June 2022Related accidents

On July 22, 2015, a Piper P A-46-310P impacted runway 27 while landing at Wittman Regional Airport (OSH),

Oshkosh, Wisconsin, for EAA AirVenture. The pilot and two passengers sustained serious injuries, and two

passengers sustained minor injuries. The pilot was flying the Fisk arrival to runway 27 in accordance with the

FAA NOTAM. The airplane entered the right downwind leg at 1,800 ft and started to descend while maintaining

90 knots. The controller instructed the pilot to turn onto the base leg and land on the “green dot” (about 2,500 ft from the displaced threshold). After starting the base turn, the pilot saw a departing airplane taxi onto runway 27 and begin its takeoff roll. The controller then told the pilot to continue the approach and land on the “orange dot” (about 1,000 ft from the displaced threshold). While turning from base leg to final, about 130 ft above ground level, the pilot reduced power and the airplane entered a steep bank angle, which resulted in a stall. The pilot attempted to recover by adding full power, but the airplane crashed on the runway. ( CEN15FA311 )

View of the airplane from the left rear quarter (below)

and aerial view of accident site and approach end of

Runway 27 (right) at OSH, Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

On July 27, 2010, a Beechcr aft 390 crashed while attempting to land on runway 18R at OSH for EAA AirVenture.

The pilot and the passenger sustained serious injuries. The pilot arrived in the area, contacted the tower controller, and was instructed to enter a left traffic pattern. As the airplane was turning from the downwind to base leg, the controller handling departures cleared a Piper Cub for an immediate takeoff and angled departure. The accident pilot could not hear the departure frequency and was therefore unaware that the departing Piper Cub was going to the left of the runway after liftoff. The accident pilot became concerned that his descent path to the runway would conflict with the Piper Cub on takeoff roll. The accident airplane overshot the runway centerline during the turn from base leg to final and was to the right of the runway when it completed the turn. The accident pilot initiated a go-around because he perceived a conflict with the Piper Cub, increasing engine power slightly as he looked for additional traffic. The right wing stalled, and the airplane impacted the ground. A postaccident review indicated that the Piper Cub was already airborne, had turned left, and was clear of the runway when the accident airplane turned from base leg to final. ( CEN10FA443 )

NTSB Safety Alert 053 / June 2022 / 3On A pril 16, 2007, a homebuilt Terrair Express impacted terrain after a loss of control during landing at

Lakeland Linder Regional Airport, Lakeland, Florida, for SUN ‘n FUN. The pilot and passenger died. In accordance

with the FAA NOTAM, the pilot turned left onto the downwind leg, then onto right base for runway 27R, and was cleared to land. (The downwind entry procedure at SUN ‘n FUN is made at a 90˚ angle, which differs from the standard 45˚ angle entry.) About 15 seconds later, the controller advised the pilot not to overshoot runway 27R and again indicated that the airplane was cleared to land on runway 27R. The airplane steeply banked, stalled, and crashed. ( MIA07LA077 )

What can pilots do?

Do your homework! Study the event NOTAM so that you know what to expect when

you arrive. The procedures for an event may change from year to year, so be familiar

with the NOTAM each year even if you are a regular visitor to the event.

Be mentally prepared for a challenging and dynamic environment.

Brief passengers in your aircraft about what to expect during arrival and ask them to

help you watch for traffic.

Keep radio traffic to a minimum in accordance with the published procedures. As

you approach the area, monitor the published frequency to hear what other pilots are

being told.

Know your limitations and those of your aircraft . You may be asked to operate in

close proximity to other aircraft, make a short approach, follow aircraft that may

be slower than your usual approach speed, land at a specific spot on the runway, or

expedite takeoff. Brush up on any relevant skills before you go.

Above all, know that ATC is there to help and support you . If you are uncomfortable

with an ATC instruction, landing clearance, or aircraft spacing, fly your aircraft first,

and advise ATC if you decide to go around. Any controller will tell you that they would

much rather deal with a go-around than an accident!

4 / NTSB Safety Alert 053 / June 2022Interested in more information?

Due to the unique challenges for pilots associated with major fly-in events such as EAA

AirVenture and SUN ‘n FUN, it is particularly important for pilots to review FAA NOTAMs

published for the events. Additional safety-related information, including critical tips for safe

arrival and departure related to the fly-in events, may be found on the organizations’ websites.

The following FAA resources, while not specific to such events, can help you sharpen your

skills. They can be accessed from the FAA ’s website at www.faa.gov:

A Personal Minimums Checklist can be a helpful tool in assessing your capabilities and

determining your readiness for flight.

“Fly the Aircraft First,” an FAA General Aviation Joint Steering Committee Safety Enhancement

Topic published in January 2015, contains tips and resources about how to maintain aircraft

control and minimize distractions.

The Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3A) , chapter 4, “Slow Flight, Stalls, and Spins,”

provides a detailed discussion of stalls and how to prevent them.

“Runway Safety: A Best Practices Guide to Operations and Communications ” is a useful guide

that details common communication procedures with ATC.

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accident in the United States and significant events in other modes of transportation—railroad, highway and transit, marine, pipeline, and commercial space. We determine the probable cause of the accidents we investigate and issue safety recommendations aimed at preventing future accidents. In addition, we conduct transportation safety studies and coordinate the resources of the federal government and other organizations to assist victims and their family members who have been impacted by major transportation disasters.