Amateur-built IV-P accident near Alabaster, Alabama, September 11, 2007
On September 11, 2007 at about 2:37 pm local time, a amateur-built IV-P, registered N335DF, was substantially damaged in an accident near Alabaster, Alabama (Shelby County Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 11, 2007 · about 2:37 pm local time
- Place
- Alabaster, Alabama · Shelby County Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built IV-P
- Registration
- N335DF · no longer on the register · serial LIV231
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Upon arrival at his destination airport the pilot of an amateur built Lancair IV-P, joined the traffic pattern for landing. During the final approach for landing, the airplane touched down about 8 feet prior to the paved runway surface. Both main gear wheels then impacted the edge of the runway pavement, which was approximately 4 inches higher than the surrounding terrain. The right main landing gear wheel separated from the gear leg and the pilot attempted to keep the airplane on the runway centerline. He was unsuccessful, and the airplane veered to the right. It then departed the right side of the runway, impacted a ditch, and then trees. The airplane came to rest after impacting the trees, and had sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that the air was smooth prior to the approach and that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane.
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: 1,274 hours in all; 404 in this make and model; 4 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 1,059 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 1, 2006
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 404 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, March 1, 2007
- Maximum gross weight: 3,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental TSIO-550-E2B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: TCL Tuscaloosa AL at 2:26 pm
- Destination: EET Alabaster AL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 15, 5,000 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 pm from EET
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.