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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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September 10, 1998 · Wood Glasair SH2 Glasair SH · N51AJ

Holly Hill, SC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 10, 1998
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Holly Hill, SC
Aircraft
Wood Glasair SH2 Glasair SH
Tail Number
N51AJ
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA98LA245

The pilot had landed, and elected to abort and go around. According to witnesses, the airplane had landed long and could not make a complete stop on the available runway. The aircraft bounced three times and on the third bounce the pilot lowered the tail wheel, and the main landing gear came off the ground. The pilot attempted a go around and powered up with 300 feet of runway remaining. He attempted to clear trees at the end of the runway by pulling the nose up abruptly, then pushing the nose over after clearing the trees. At this point the engine quit momentarily. The airplane impacted the ground on fairway No. 3 at a golf course, and came to rest at the base of a pine tree. Examination of the wreckage revealed that no obvious discrepancies were found in the fuel system or the engine. Fuel was found, and examination of the carburetor and fuel pump did not show any discrepancies. The FAA inspector stated, '...the pilot was released from the hospital on September 20, 1998. All attempts to talk to [him] have failed...it appears after checking with Airman and Aircraft records [the pilot] was operating his aircraft with a non-current registration and with a denied medical.' The pilot did not return the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, and his account of the accident are not known.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, and his failure to perform a go-around. The pilot's misjudgment of speed and distance during the landing is a contributing factor.

Full Narrative

On September 10, 1998, about 1500 eastern daylight time, a Glasair SH2 experimental airplane, N51AJ, registered to a private individual, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed on a golf course near Holly Hill, South Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was destroyed. The private-rated pilot reported serious injuries. The flight originated from a private airstrip, at an unknown time. According to the FAA inspector's statement, "...witnesses stated that the aircraft landed long and could not make a complete stop on the available runway. The aircraft bounced three times and on the third bounce [the pilot] lowered the tail wheel the main landing gear came off the ground, indicating too much airspeed...[the pilot] attempted a go around and powered up with 300 feet of runway remaining. He attempted to clear trees at the end of the runway by pulling abruptly then pushing the nose over after clearing the trees. At this point the engine quit momentarily, most likely due to the negative G's applied during this maneuver." The airplane impacted the ground on fairway No. 3 at Holly Hill Golf Course, and came to rest at the base of a pine tree. Examination of the wreckage revealed that no obvious discrepancies were found in the fuel system or the engine. Blue fuel was found, and examination of the carburetor and fuel pump did not show any discrepancies. The FAA inspector stated, "...the pilot was released from the hospital on September 20, 1998. All attempts to talk to [him] have failed...it appears after checking with Airman and Aircraft records [the pilot] was operating his aircraft with a non-current registration and with a denied medical." The pilot did not return the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, and his account of the accident is not known.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 EDT
Nearest AirportHolly Hill (0nm NE)
Runway4
Runway Length2900 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftWood Glasair SH2 Glasair SH
Tail NumberN51AJ
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 51 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind340° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time19:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data