Triple S Aero INC LANCAIR IVP accident near Moraine, Ohio, August 20, 2000
On August 20, 2000 at about 1:15 pm local time, a Triple S Aero INC LANCAIR IVP, an amateur-built aircraft,, registered N235LP, was substantially damaged in an accident near Moraine, Ohio (Moraine Air Park airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain a proper glide path to the runway which resulted in the airplane contacting a 15-foot levee just short of the runway.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 20, 2000 · about 1:15 pm local time
- Place
- Moraine, Ohio · Moraine Air Park · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Triple S Aero INC LANCAIR IVP LANCAIR IV, amateur-built
- Registration
- N235LP · no longer on the register · serial 235
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The accident airplane was following a slower airplane to land. While on downwind, the accident pilot radioed that he was going to extend his downwind leg. After completing the base leg and turning final, the accident pilot radioed that he was performing some 'S' turns. While on final and approximately 50 feet short of the 3,500-foot runway, the accident airplane contacted a 15-foot high levee. The airplane then impacted the ground 45 degrees nose low, and slid onto the runway, where it came to rest. The minimum airspeed for the airplane in the landing configuration was 90 knots, which equated to 5 to 6 degrees nose high, and a landing distance of approximately 2,000 feet. The pilot was not aware of the levee while executing the approach. The runway identifier and touchdown markings were not visible because of wear. According to the Airport/Facility Directory, the runway threshold was displayed 225 feet. In addition, the airport diagram depicted the levee and how it related to the runway.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,600 hours in all; 127 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 340 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 13, 2000; 31 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental TSIO-550G (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: I20 Xenia OH at 1:00 pm
- Destination: I73
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 8, 3,500 ft by 65 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 050° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 12:53 pm from MGY, 6 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.