Amateur-built 320 accident near Spokane, Washington, July 27, 2010
On July 27, 2010 at about 5:00 pm local time, a amateur-built 320, registered N360N, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Spokane, Washington (Felts Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Loss of airplane control due to the asymmetric flap condition.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 27, 2010 · about 5:00 pm local time
- Place
- Spokane, Washington · Felts Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built 320 NO SERIES
- Registration
- N360N · registry record · serial 330
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, after initiating a go-around and during a climbing left turn to re-enter the traffic pattern, his attempt to roll out of the turn was unsuccessful. The bank angle continued to near 90 degrees before he was able to maneuver the airplane close to the runway. The airplane ultimately stalled and collided with the runway surface. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed an asymmetric flap condition. Shortly after the accident, the airplane kit manufacturer issued a Service Bulletin that addressed the asymmetric flap problem. The bulletin advised operators to inspect for adequate clearance and ensure that sufficient stiffness is established such that when fully deployed, the flap’s leading edge will not have a tendency to flex upward and snag the trailing edge of the wing. The condition could jam the flap and subsequently preclude its retraction.
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
What happened, in order
- Flight control sys malf/fail during initial climb defining event
- Loss of control in flight during approach (VFR pattern final)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Flight control system › TE flap control system › Malfunction
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Lateral/bank control › Attain/maintain not possible
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,355 hours in all; 42 in this make and model; 3 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 2,300 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 8, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 437 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 22, 2010; 1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,850 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SFF Spokane WA at 4:04 pm
- Destination: SFF Spokane WA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 03L, 4,500 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 050° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 pm from SFF
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 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.