Amateur-built LANCAIR 235 accident near Hot Springs, South Dakota, July 4, 2000
On July 4, 2000 at about 2:10 pm local time, a amateur-built LANCAIR 235, registered N235RC, was substantially damaged in an accident near Hot Springs, South Dakota (Hot Springs Minucipal airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the failure of the pilot to select the correct runway for takeoff. Factors to the accident were the inadequate preflight planning/preparation, the aborted takeoff not performed, and the tailwind.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 4, 2000 · about 2:10 pm local time
- Place
- Hot Springs, South Dakota · Hot Springs Minucipal · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built LANCAIR 235 LANCAIR 23
- Registration
- N235RC · registry record · serial 215
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was attempting to depart on runway 19, and the aircraft failed to achieve flight. The aircraft was substantially damaged when it overran the end of the runway. The pilot received two weather briefings in the 70 minutes prior to the attempted takeoff. According to a written statement by the pilot, he 'departed runway 19. Aircraft never developed lift and overran runway end. Wind had shifted 180 degrees in 20-30 minutes and pilot did not re-check wind before takeoff.' Winds were reported as 010 at 16 knots 75 minutes prior to the accident, 040 at 9 knots gusting 17 knots 15 minutes prior to the accident, and 340 at 8 knots 45 minutes after the accident. Density altitude was 4,613 feet at the airport at the time of the accident. There is a windsock directly across the runway from the parking ramp.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 600 hours in all; 38 in this make and model; 600 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 88 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 5, 2000; 34 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,759 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-D2B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: HSR at 2:10 pm
- Destination: HON Huron SD
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 19, 4,505 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 040° at 9 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 1:55 pm from RAP, 50 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.