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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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NTSB Report

October 15, 1993 · Schlappi RV3 · N669CP

Hatfield, MA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 15, 1993
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Hatfield, MA
Aircraft
Schlappi RV3
Tail Number
N669CP
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC94LA010

THE PILOT WAS ON APPROACH TO RUNWAY 29 WHEN HE LANDED ABOUT 35 FEET SHORT OF THE RUNWAY AND THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A DIRT BANK. THE PILOT REPORTED THE APPROACH WAS ROUTINE UNTIL SHORT FINAL, WHEN THE AIRPORT AND TREES 'STARTED TO' BOIL UNDER ME AND I ADDED POWER TO 'MAINTAIN ALTITUDE BUT THE (DIRT BANK) CAME UP...' THE PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot misjudged his distance and altitude which resulted in an undershoot of the runway. A factor was his delay in intiating a go around.

Full Narrative

On Friday, October 15, 1993, at about 1400 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt, Schlappi, RV3, N669CP, piloted by Mr. Dale Schlappi, collided with the terrain while landing at Hatfield/Pilgrim Airport, Hatfield, Massachusetts. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR 91. The pilot was performing an approach to land on runway 29, undershot the runway, struck a dirt embankment approximately 35 feet from the approach end of the runway. According to the pilot's statement on the NTSB Form 6120.1/2: ...after entering [the] final leg about one mile from 29's threshold I lowered to 40 degrees flap and moved prop to low pitch. This was the landing configuration and most of the final leg was routine until short final. The field [airport] and trees started to boil under me and I added power to maintain altitude but the bank [embankment] of the road came up and the next thing that I remember I was being taken out of the airplane that was resting on the road just short of runway 29. FAA Inspector, William Wicks, examined the wreckage, and found no discrepancies. Mr. Wicks said the pilot reported he had encountered wind shear, but Mr. Wicks could not find any weather reports indicating wind shear in the area.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 EDT
Nearest AirportHatfield/Pilgrim (1nm E)
Runway29
Runway Length2200 ft
Runway Width140 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSchlappi RV3
Tail NumberN669CP
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-DIA · Reciprocating · 160
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 58 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 15 kt, gusting 20 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data